Whereas, after 100 years of significant impact, Navy Pier has been reimagined and has adopted the following new mission: Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder. ; Whereas Navy Pier opened to the public in 1916 and was originally named Municipal Pier #2; Whereas Navy Pier was built under nationally known architect Charles Sumner Frost, based on Daniel Burham’s Master Plan of Chicago ; Whereas Municipal Pier was the first of its kind to accommodate both the commercial shipping industry and recreation and entertainment for the public, drawing over 3 million visitors annually; Whereas, in 1917, Municipal Pier was adapted to house several regiments of soldiers, Red Cross workers, and home defense units, and the Pier served as a barracks during World War I; Whereas Municipal Pier was officially renamed Navy Pier in 1927 as a tribute to the United States Navy personnel who were housed at the Pier during the conflict; Whereas, from 1941 to 1947, the Pier was leased to the United States Navy as a naval training center for 60,000 recruits, one of whom was President George H.W. Bush, who qualified for military service as a pilot; Whereas Navy Pier was the original home to the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1946 to 1965, and more than 100,000 students attended classes during that time; Whereas, dubbed Harvard on the Rocks , the University shared the space with the Chicago Police Department’s Traffic Division, the North Pier Terminal Company, and several military detachments; Whereas the Pier was designated a Chicago historic landmark in 1977; Whereas, between 1978 and 1982, Navy Pier was host to ChicagoFest, a summer music festival full of food, fun, and festivities; Whereas ChicagoFest eventually grew to become the Taste of Chicago, drawing millions of guests to the Pier and spurring millions of dollars in economic impact