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May 27, 2021 7:20 am CT On Wednesday, NFL owners approved a couple of Soldier Field renovation projects for the Chicago Bears. Dramatically expand the opportunity for major sponsorships and naming rights. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. Soldier Field was built in 1924, and was originally named Municipal Grant Park Stadium. As Chicago looks to keep the Bears playing at Soldier Field, with the team currently considering a new stadium outside the city, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has unveiled three potential renovation plans for the iconic stadium, including expanded seat options and the possible addition of a dome. Create more flexible event space and multi-purpose venues including up to four venues with capacity ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 or more. The only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park, that statement said. Soldier Field Consider a teacher-led homestay + excursions when planning future trips. Soldier Field rehab can proceed despite benefits to the team. Soldier Field Lightfoot laid out three options for construction of a dome: The first would fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both end zones with columns that can support a dome structure. Here's What We Know So Far, This 28-Year-Old Pays $62 a Month to Live in a Dumpster He Built for $5,000Take a Look Inside, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', Mayor Lori Lightfoot Asks Texas Gov. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled a surprise plan for a $395-million conversion of Soldier Field that would add a retractable dome over the stadium where the Chicago Bears play. The approval involves financing In an email, the head of Friends of the Parks, a civic group that sued and ended up blocking the proposed Lucas Museum just south of Soldier Field, said legal action (again) by her organization again is on the table. Soldier will never be what it once was thanks to the flying saucer permanently residing in the middle of the classic building. Spend a semester or a school year abroad with a host family and attend high school classes. Mayor Emanuel and the Bears need to work together to make Soldier the best possible stadium for both the fans and team as well as the city as a whole. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The company that previously owned the property, Churchill Downs,announced on Wednesday that the $197.2 million sale isn't expected to be finalized until late 2022 or early 2023. Chicago Unveils 3 Proposed Renovations for Soldier Field. And while the city has said that it intends to fight to keep the Bears at Soldier Field, the Bears continue to moved forward in purchasing the site of the former Arlington Rack Track, telling the Daily Herald earlier this month that that "the only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park.". It sounds like the Bears will be welcoming fans back at Soldier Field in full capacity for the 2021 season, as theyre already one of 30 teams thathave approval for full capacity stadiums to begin the preseason. The 2002 renovation of Soldier Field cost $660 million, $432 million of which was funded by the city's hotel tax, and the bonds issued to finance that project are still being paid off. The Bears said Monday that they stood by their previous statement in response to Lightfoot's proposal. Add six new major club and experiential areas, none of which exist in Soldier Field as it stands today. This expert team has done an impressive job bringing these three options to life, said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital. News. Mayor Lightfoot Announces Three Options for Proposed However, none of the options seem likely to convince the Bears to stay in Soldier Field. Option two calls for rebuilding both ends of the stadiums with columns that could support a dome, but not actually constructing it. / CBS Chicago. But the stadium must be a year-round destination.. Soldier Field renovation However, the math simply doesn't add up. The estimated costs for each option have not been finalized yet, but the city said they are expected to range between $900 million and $2.2 billion. Option 2: Rebuild both endzones with columns to make the stadium dome ready. Additional measures to provide new amenities include: Photo renderings of proposed options can be found here, These proposed renovations would vastly improve the visitor experience for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans and tourists alike, said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and member of the Museum Campus Working Group. While clearly some members of (Lightfoots) Reimagining the Lakefront Working Group worked closely with the mayor to devise this plan, Friends of the Parks was not invited to be part of any vetting of actual plans for a dome at any time, even though it was a member of the group, Juanita Irizarry said. Taxpayers Can't Afford a New Bears Stadium The Illinoize Soldier Field renovation options Option 1: Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. Discover another part of the world. One of the key elements of the bill is a $3 per person admission tax on all entertainment and sporting events within what the bill calls the Arlington Megaproject to help pay down debt related to the renovation of Soldier Field. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Lightfoot declined to say how much of the potential $2.2 billion tab the city is prepared to pay for. Arlington Heights has an entire city budget of under $200 million with sky high property taxes to begin with. A key part of Lightfoots presentation today came from Bob Dunn, who wants to develop the huge One Central project just across the Metra tracks from Soldier Field but is better known for his work on other National Football League stadiums in Detroit, Green Bay and Minneapolis. Despite the fact that the Bears have one foot out the door at Soldier Field, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote on Tuesday night that she is committed to keeping the Bears in her city. "An improved Soldier Field will deliver a world-class visitor experience," Lightfoot said in a statement. The structure itself isn't the only problem with the current state of Soldier Field. LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed three proposals on Monday for renovations to Soldier Field to entice the Bears to remain at their home stadium of the past 50 years. Soldier Field renovation - Chicago Tribune Three concepts for Soldier Field renovations. Everybody knows the sinking feeling you get after you shake hands on a deal, then realize you've been snookered. The more things dribble out about the Soldier Field deal -- things the Chicago Bears and the Daley administration were careful to downplay or conceal when they began their hurry-up offense to pass the plan last fall -- the more it is apparent that what is driving this $580 million project are the Commentary: The fine print on Soldier Field, Soldier field plan: On further review, the play stinks. The Chicago Bears have been playing at Soldier Field since 1971, but they might not be playing there much longer. Sure, the stadium is a historic landmark. The plan got a cold shoulder from McCaskey and Daley. Im more than willing to take a look at his proposal and see if its doable and hes indicated hes willing to take a look at other options too, Edgar said. on This Day - Soldier Field | History, Events, Renovation, & Facts | Britan Want to discover the world? Jets' Aaron Rodgers expects a 'heaven' and 'hell' relationship with Zach Wilson, Top picks Christian Gonzalez, Keion White reflect Patriots' ideal identity, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades, Bijan Robinson shares that this is his second stint with the Falcons. Option 1: Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. Please enter valid email address to continue. However, given the fact that the stadium has little space to expand or change, it's unlikely to find a simple and cost-effective solution to the dilemma at hand. Expand seating from 61,500 seats up to 70,000 total seats including additional fan activation areas. Earlier this month, the Bears confirmed they would be welcoming fans back to Soldier Field, but they had not issued any limits on capacity at that time. Were counting on his playing in this game, Coach George Seifert said. Single-game tickets then went on sale two weeks ago following the schedule release. Jason S. Parini can be followed on Twitter: @JasonPariniBR, off of the National Register of Historic Places. My statement still stands on the Bears: my admin remains committed to continuing the work to keep the team in Chicago. Why the Soldier Field Renovations Were a Mistake for the July 25, 2022 / 9:15 PM I am excited to share these proposals for Soldier Field, said Richard S. Price, Executive Chairman of Mesirow. The cost benefit to the Bears of improving Soldier Field versus developing a new stadium on an alternate site is anticipated to be at least $1B to 1.5B or more. Soldier Field Phase two: Decide to bid for a Super Bowl in five years, while adding only half of the seats needed to reach the minimum requirements. All Rights Reserved. The Working Group was chaired by Richard Price, Executive Chairman of Mesirow.