The owners of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks got the go-ahead to transform the area surrounding the United Center on Wednesday when the Chicago City Council approved a $7 billion plan to replace the parking lots with green space,

Alders at Wednesday’s City Council meeting gave final approval on a $7 billion plan to redevelop 55 acres around the United Center with housing, retail, entertainment space and a public plaza. (

Project's first phase will bring a 6,000-seat music hall, 233-room hotel, retail space and two parking garages to the Near West Side. Construction will start this spring.

The City of Chicago has advanced a $7-billion, 15-year plan to redevelop 55 acres around Chicago's United Center with housing, retail, entertainment space and a public plaza.