The Chicago Bears generated keen interest from fans and non-fans alike Thursday for a presentation of plans for a new domed stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights.
Team officials drew applause when they said the stadium would be enclosed, and that the team would not negotiate renovations at Soldier Field while pursuing the Arlington deal.
— Chicago Tribune
The Bears President Ted Phillips said the team would not seek any public funding except for critical infrastructure and that the new stadium would result in greater seating capacity than Soldier Field. He also shared that the team was uncertain as to whether the enclosure will be retractable or not but alluded to mechanical problems and costs as a potential deterrent.
The retractable roof feature and multi-sport entertainment focus had previously been a part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's recent last-ditch counteroffer, though the team’s “singular focus” on the 326-acre site in Arlington Heights means more or less the Manica-led project is a done deal as soon as approval and the additional outside funding can be secured. As of now, the entire project (excluding the stadium portion) is expected to take around 10 years to complete.
5 Comments
Well, perhaps now Soldier Field can be returned to looking more like its original designers intended and used for soccer or something.
Mayor Lightfoot will be endlessly blamed for the loss of the Bears, but I really don't think anything short of gifting ownership of Soldier Field to the team could match the economics of building new in the 'burbs. On the new site, the Bears have ownership and money coming in from not only the stadium but all of the surrounding real estate and the spinoff development being built on it.
I agree. It's the best for both the city (Not Arlington Heights though, if they end up paying for the thing with the state's help) and the team (Like you said, real estate and rent are the big moneymakers).
The area around Soldier Field can now be dedicated to its monicker as the Museum Campus. Soldier Field can still host concerts and other events. The Bears only use it for less than a dozen games every year anyway.
trying to out-rome the romans
Mayor Beetlejuice should really worry about crime in her city. Criminals definitely know they can get away with anything there.
When Tom Brady hangs it up, or is wheeled off the field, the NFL is dead. A good case could be made that because of CTE the whole league should have been euthanized several years ago.
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