Rooms at Chicago conservatory reopen after storm

Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory has reopened all its rooms after a hailstorm last year caused extensive damage.

However, conservatory officials say the greenhouse still requires work, including needed glass replacement.

Officials opened the last two rooms damaged by the storm with a special event for visitors on Sunday.

A hail storm last summer caused major damage at the conservatory. The facility sustained about 60 percent breakage in its Fern Room, which is more than 100 years old. Workers removed shards of glass by hand and replaced soil.

Officials say cost of the cleanup has been at least $2 million.

Garfield Park is one of the largest conservatories nationwide and is more than 100 years old. It houses several exotic and century-old plant species.