Sep 5, 2008 9:04 pm US/Central
River's 'Fish Hotel' A Quiet Spot In Choppy Waters
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
There are many hotels near the Chicago River, but CBS 2's Anne State found one that's actually in the river.
The guests? Not people, but fish.
Tourist Mike Page and his wife were in Chicago recently taking in the sights across from Marina City.
"Well let me tell you, I had no concept there was a river running through Chicago," Page said.
At the corner of Dearborn and Wacker Drive, Page found surprise when he walked up and read the words "look over the edge."
"I saw the sign, looked down and it looks like somebody has put together a water garden of sorts," Page said.
What he saw is something called the Fish Hotel.
Caitlyn Bolton, of Friends of the Chicago River, says the hotel -- which is made of plants and branches -- is like a salad bar for fish. They like to eat the algae that grow on the wood and plant roots below the water.
But there's more to the fish hotel than meets the eye. CBS 2 saw the Friends of the Chicago River assembling it weeks ago.
Black cribs were placed underwater.
Ernesto Huarach, the project manager said, "The whole intent of what these fish cribs are is to more or less create an escape for the fish."
The waves created by boats on the river create quite a choppy environment. Environmentalists say the Fish Hotel is one of the few places around here where fish can get a break.
Paul Polizzotto is the founder of Eco Media, a company that is helping to fund the Fish Hotel.
"Our goal is to fund actual projects and technologies that will lead to measurable environmental improvements," Polizzotto said.
Recently, the company partnered with CBS in the hopes of doing more green friendly projects like the Fish Hotel.
If you're curious, tours of the Fish Hotel are offered several times a week.
"And to see some plants growing and people talking about giving fish a place -- whether they use it or not -- I think is a good attitude," Page said.
Click here to learn more about the Fish Hotel.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
