New stadium for the Bears?

[Squirrel]

I like that they would privately fund $2billion, and that the plan will include public spaces, but we’ll see. No specific plans or renderings so far. They had bought land out in the burbs, but then found out that they were going to get hit with a huge property tax bill and are now back to downtown.

“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public,” Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement.

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/reports-bears-to-contribute-2-billion-for-domed-lakefront-stadium-to-replace-soldier-field/?fbclid=IwAR2ZFxekBaad6fqQY2lMXXwirHtwj1_RQsdFLWXeOtbEjdHxL4GEQbtLpSk_aem_AX2zWw6KBwWdR70DrbMXxpylC73i3RB4g0vH2-WeywWR8lkOiOR0-CnaGiRqIElj7Bw

 

[nicksaviking]

I was wondering where they’d put it. In the parking and underused green space south of the current stadium?

looks like the spot the White Sox want to move to could fit both stadiums, but wouldn’t leave much in the way of the parking and green space referenced in the article. Nor the two dozen high rises shown in the White Sox renderings.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

The Bears franchise is basically inept, so I would take it all with a grain of salt.  Since I moved here in 1994, there have been at least 4 or 5 instances when they were "ready to build" a new stadium and it didn't happen.  The move to Arlington Heights to the former racetrack property was just a silly attention grabbing stunt.  The bottom line is that Arlington Heights wasn't going to be willing to foot a bunch of the bill for the Bears (medium sized suburb, much smaller budget than the Chicago Park District) and the Bears weren't willing to do it without.  I'll believe it when I see it that the Bears are putting in big bucks.  This (video partway through the story) is what the Chicago Park District proposed a year ago when the Bears were running away from Chicago.  It would be amazing and if I were the Bears I would BEG them to do it. 

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/photos-proposed-soldier-field-renovations-would-add-dome-to-stadium-new-transit-center-to-lakeshore/3039801/

As to the White Sox renderings, I think that's a pipe dream as well.  None of the surrounding nice stuff has been built, nor is it likely to be built.  Given that Chicago is a Bears, Cubs, Bulls, Sox/Blackhawks city -- in that order -- the odds of that happening are nil.  In fact, Jerry Reinsdorf was at the capitol in Springfield lobbying state senators and the governor for money and he pretty much got his head handed back to him. 

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I like that they would privately fund $2billion, and that the plan will include public spaces, but we’ll see. No specific plans or renderings so far. They had bought land out in the burbs, but then found out that they were going to get hit with a huge property tax bill and are now back to downtown.

“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public,” Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement.

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/reports-bears-to-contribute-2-billion-for-domed-lakefront-stadium-to-replace-soldier-field/?fbclid=IwAR2ZFxekBaad6fqQY2lMXXwirHtwj1_RQsdFLWXeOtbEjdHxL4GEQbtLpSk_aem_AX2zWw6KBwWdR70DrbMXxpylC73i3RB4g0vH2-WeywWR8lkOiOR0-CnaGiRqIElj7Bw

 

Domed stadium so in division only GB plays outdoors.

[Squirrel]

11 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Domed stadium so in division only GB plays outdoors.

Domed stadium so they can make more money and perhaps get a Super Bowl or other kinds of big money sports events

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

Domed stadium so they can make more money and perhaps get a Super Bowl or other kinds of big money sports events

Yeah, I'm sure Taylor Swift has another decade of selling out football stadiums in her. Better break ground quick though to get in on that action.

[Squirrel]

16 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, I'm sure Taylor Swift has another decade of selling out football stadiums in her. Better break ground quick though to get in on that action.

She played Soldier Field last summer. Three nights. Sold out the hotels in the city. Summer events are no problem. But they miss out on a lot of other things.

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

The Bears franchise is basically inept, so I would take it all with a grain of salt.  Since I moved here in 1994, there have been at least 4 or 5 instances when they were "ready to build" a new stadium and it didn't happen.  The move to Arlington Heights to the former racetrack property was just a silly attention grabbing stunt.  The bottom line is that Arlington Heights wasn't going to be willing to foot a bunch of the bill for the Bears (medium sized suburb, much smaller budget than the Chicago Park District) and the Bears weren't willing to do it without.  I'll believe it when I see it that the Bears are putting in big bucks.  This (video partway through the story) is what the Chicago Park District proposed a year ago when the Bears were running away from Chicago.  It would be amazing and if I were the Bears I would BEG them to do it. 

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/photos-proposed-soldier-field-renovations-would-add-dome-to-stadium-new-transit-center-to-lakeshore/3039801/

As to the White Sox renderings, I think that's a pipe dream as well.  None of the surrounding nice stuff has been built, nor is it likely to be built.  Given that Chicago is a Bears, Cubs, Bulls, Sox/Blackhawks city -- in that order -- the odds of that happening are nil.  In fact, Jerry Reinsdorf was at the capitol in Springfield lobbying state senators and the governor for money and he pretty much got his head handed back to him. 

The Arlington Heights thing wasn’t an attention grab. They actually bought the old racetrack and started to demo the buildings on it, then they got the news that their yearly property tax bill was going to be way, way, way more than they expected. It went through an appeals process and they lost. So, back to downtown. IF they are truly going to privately fund the stadium and plan for the public outdoor space they claim, I wouldn’t be opposed. As for the proposed Sox Park, by the time that would get built (not gonna happen, though), that area will be built up. They’ve already put some of the infrastructure in place there for development. However, Reinsdorf wants the city and state to fund it with tax dollars. That will never happen. And I put the Sox dead last in what the city cares about … but I don’t put the Cubs 2nd, either … Bears, Bulls, Cubs/Hawks, Sky, Fire, Sox. Most Sox fans I know, upon hearing Reinsdorf wants taxes to fund his stadium, said, ‘Buh bye. Enjoy Nashville.’ But, back to football, Chicago is a Bears town, through and through, even with how pathetic they are, and 2nd place isn’t even close. That stadium will eventually get done. But by the time it gets built, I’m hoping to be retired and back to MN. Their current contract at Soldier Field is through 2032. So, in time for the 33-34 season. Yep, I’ll be gone.

And both clubs still owe money on their current digs. I wouldn’t agree to anything u til they make good on those bonds.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

8 hours ago, Squirrel said:

The Arlington Heights thing wasn’t an attention grab. They actually bought the old racetrack and started to demo the buildings on it, then they got the news that their yearly property tax bill was going to be way, way, way more than they expected. It went through an appeals process and they lost. So, back to downtown. IF they are truly going to privately fund the stadium and plan for the public outdoor space they claim, I wouldn’t be opposed. As for the proposed Sox Park, by the time that would get built (not gonna happen, though), that area will be built up. They’ve already put some of the infrastructure in place there for development. However, Reinsdorf wants the city and state to fund it with tax dollars. That will never happen. And I put the Sox dead last in what the city cares about … but I don’t put the Cubs 2nd, either … Bears, Bulls, Cubs/Hawks, Sky, Fire, Sox. Most Sox fans I know, upon hearing Reinsdorf wants taxes to fund his stadium, said, ‘Buh bye. Enjoy Nashville.’ But, back to football, Chicago is a Bears town, through and through, even with how pathetic they are, and 2nd place isn’t even close. That stadium will eventually get done. But by the time it gets built, I’m hoping to be retired and back to MN. Their current contract at Soldier Field is through 2032. So, in time for the 33-34 season. Yep, I’ll be gone.

And both clubs still owe money on their current digs. I wouldn’t agree to anything u til they make good on those bonds.

You give the Bears a little more credit for their management skills than I do, but we’re in agreement that it’s indeed a Bears town.  Something will eventually get done, but I’m not sure if we’ll all live to see it.  In the meantime, be ready for lots of fits and starts.

 

[Squirrel]

11 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

You give the Bears a little more credit for their management skills than I do, but we’re in agreement that it’s indeed a Bears town.  Something will eventually get done, but I’m not sure if we’ll all live to see it.  In the meantime, be ready for lots of fits and starts.

 

Oh yeah. There will be fits and starts. No doubt. Isn’t there with just about any proposed stadium? I live in the area and the impact will be the same whether it’s the current stadium or a new one. But I’d better not be paying g for it. 🙂

[Rod Carews Birthday]

25 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

But I’d better not be paying g for it. 🙂

Here is unfortunately where I think you might be wrong.   I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for the Bears to pony up big money.   

[nicksaviking]

I always dislike the suburban stadiums. Put them where there are other things to do. Who wants to go to strip mall restaurants and stay in hotels 45 minutes from where all the other attractions of the city are?

Also, why are the Bears owners both begging for tax payer money AND saying that Chicago is the top world class city in the country?

The LA and NY (New Jersey actually) teams paid for their own stadiums outside of infrastructure costs. If the Bears want to claim that Chicago is America's prime destination, then they need to act like LA and NY and foot 100% of the bill