A Month After Grand Opening Of Riverwalk East, Renovations Not Yet Complete

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Before leaving office, Mayor Rahm Emanuel celebrated the upgraded Chicago Riverwalk as one of the proudest accomplishments of his time in office, but the rebuild isn't exactly finished.

Mounds of dirt blanket a stretch of the Riverwalk between Michigan Avenue and the lakefront. Cones block off torn-up sidewalk. A stairway is closed. Lights are missing.

It's a stark contrast to the way the former mayor portrayed the Riverwalk last month when he announced completion of the 1.5-mile stretch known as Riverwalk East.

Emanuel proclaimed Riverwalk renovations as completed in mid-May, holding a grand opening celebration for Riverwalk East before leaving office.

The word "completion" and variations of it appeared on the accompanying press release seven different times.

"It was more complete last year than this year. I mean this year, they dug up this whole area," Riverwalk user Aaron Dolan said.

While the renovated path on the easternmost section of the Riverwalk was completed in May, new lighting and furniture were delayed due to poor weather.