WBBM clarifies MTCA claim

Nov. 6, 2007 – The general manager of WBBM-TV, the Chicago affiliate owned and operated by CBS, has clarified a recent payment to MTCA. Joe Ahern says his tv station rented space from the building to photograph the river.

“We do not pay to take shots of buildings,” he said on November 6.

At a September 7 board meeting of the MTCA, property manager David Gantt claimed, “CBS has agreed to pay the $2,000 fee for the image of Marina Towers so that they can use Marina Towers and shots to and from Marina Towers for the nightly news introduction.”

However, Ahern said they did not shoot video of Marina Towers.

Marina Towers is managed by Draper & Kramer, a 114-year-old company with headquarters in Chicago. Company officials did not respond to attempts by Marina City Online to reach them for comment.