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. In the meantime, we remain committed to fulfilling our Permit Operating Agreement (POA) at Soldier Field.". Taking a group abroad? 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. On Wednesday, NFL owners approved a couple of Soldier Field renovation projects for the Chicago Bears. Chicago, IL 60601 Consider a teacher-led homestay + excursions when planning future trips. In 1994, Smith was fined $8,000 for fighting with Tampa Bays Tyji Armstrong. The options include rebuilding both end zones and enclosing the stadium with a dome; renovating the stadium to make it dome ready; or modifying Soldier Filed into a multi-purpose stadium better suited for its other major sports tenant, the Chicago Fire FC, as well as concerts and other year-round events. The Bears said Monday that they stood by their previous statement in response to Lightfoot's proposal. It also would allow them to reap the full benefits of stadium naming rights, as well as any other events held at a team-owned arena, such as concerts. Based on that, Soldier Field can transition to becoming a dome, Dunn said. Frankly speaking, the current Soldier Field is an architectural mistake. Dramatically expand the opportunity for major sponsorships and naming rights. It also discusses the possibility of quadrupling the amount of food and beverage space in the field to 200,000 square feet. But the Bears have a lease at Soldier Field through 2033. Last year, Edgar and McCaskey rejected Daleys proposal to renovate the stadium. "All options include major programmatic changes and concourse space improvements and, most importantly, preserve historical components of Soldier Field including the colonnades," the city said. ), Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 26, 2021. Single-game tickets then went on sale two weeks ago following the schedule release. In February, Edgar proposed a $465-million project that would add a 72,000-seat domed stadium and expand McCormick Place. He said it was aimed at resolving the often bitter differences the three men have had on a new stadium. Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. According to a statement released by the team earlier this month, the Arlington Park site is the only site the team is considering for a new stadium. In May, construction will finish on another building and allow the number of soldiers living doubled up to drop to about 50. The hosting of any of those events would be a great boost to the economy, and the process of making the stadium capable of hosting those would also be a boost to Chicago's job market. Soldier Field was built in 1924, and was originally named Municipal Grant Park Stadium. In anticipation of the Bears buying the property, the Arlington Heights village boardapproved a zoning change in June that will allow a football stadium to be built on the land, which is currently occupied by a horse racing track. In a statement on Monday, a Bears spokesman said the only option the franchise is interested in exploring for a new stadium is the Arlington Park site. E-mail oureditor The city will launch a feasibility study to evaluate financing options, but Lightfoot wouldnt commit to any artificial timeline on when that study would conclude. However, none of the options seem likely to convince the Bears to stay in Soldier Field. May 27, 2021 7:20 am CT On Wednesday, NFL owners approved a couple of Soldier Field renovation projects for the Chicago Bears. You'll now receive the top Bears Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Each of the proposals would create not only an exceptional experience for fans and concertgoers but would also enhance the public amenities for the entire Museum Campus.. In Chicago, meanwhile, two architects who worked on Soldier Fields $660 million renovation bankrolled by bonds that wont be fully repaid until 2032 said only modest expansion is possible at the 61,500-seat stadium, the NFLs smallest. Friends of the Parks perspective on a possible dome remains the same. This expert team has done an impressive job bringing these three options to life, said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital. Even before Lightfoot spoke, however, there were signs of how difficult pulling off a major stadium renovation on the lakefront will be. Option 1: Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. 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. 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. Soldier Field, part of Chicago's 57-acre iconic Museum Campus that's also home to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum, is one of the smallest National Football League stadiums in the country. According to the mayor's office, the plans also would increase the number of luxury suites from 133 to 140; add six new club areas; quadruple concessions areas from 50,000 to 200,000 square feet; expand the opportunity for stadium naming rights and other sponsorships, and create more flexible event space, with up to 4 separate venues, with capacity ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 seats. This is clearly a negotiating tactic that the Bears have used before," Lightfoot said at the time. 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. Make international friendships? While the cost of each option must be refined based on a finalized scope, it is anticipated they will range from $900M to $2.2B - significantly less costly than building a new stadium. Option 2: Increase the number of traditional suites from 133 to 140. The Chicago Tribune did some digging back in July and found that the Bears would be able to get out of the lease in 2026 by paying a penaltyof $84 million. As part of a nearly $400 million reconstruction project, the majority of Soldier Field was demolished with the exception of the exterior. The new Soldier Field broke ground on January 19, 2002. In just 20 months, the shortest construction time for a modern day stadium on record, the Project was completed. Just ten years removed from the extensive $660 million renovations of the historic stadium, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has already begun to explore the option of altering Soldier Field once again. However, it makes no sense to spend the money to "improve" the building if the changes won't meet the requirements that the structure needs. The Bears had seven digital video screens installed inside the stadium, including high-definition scoreboards in each end zone, in 2015. Move back to Wrigley Field? Daley said the renovation would be financed with $175 million from the Bears, $160 million in taxes on hotel stays and restaurant meals in Chicago, and $60 million from Soldier Field revenue bonds. Soldier Field rehab can proceed despite benefits to the team. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! The mayor also added that she wanted the Bears to focus on more important things, like beating the Packers. Its the oldest stadium in both the NFL and MLS.Known as the Stadium in a Park, Soldier Field is a 17-acre site Led by Landmark Development and its president, Bob Dunn, this team of stadium engineers, designers, and financial experts with deep NFL experience has not only developed options which maximize the existing footprint of Soldier Field but also debunked the previously-held assumption that Soldier Field cannot be domed. Any of these options has enormous potential to spur economic growth for Chicago and contribute to making the Museum Campus a global, year-round destination., Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Chicago Bears have been trying to leave Soldier Field for 50 years. Of course, that's not exactly true. ", The proposal also would expand seating at Soldier Field from 61,500 seats to 70,000, increase the number of suites from 133 to 140 and quadruple the food and beverage space from 50,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. Students live with a host family and attend classes on a daily basis. Increase the number of traditional suites from 133 to 140. According to the Chicago Sun Times, they received a spreadsheet from the working group on the ideas they have for renovations to the field. Advertisement Initial reaction to the Add secondary club and activation areas to as many as 20. Add six new major club and experiential areas, none of which exist in Soldier Field as it stands today. As early as 1987, Chicago officials as well as the Bears front office agreed that the lakefront would not be the best place for the Bears to play in the future. 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. During the reconstruction of Soldier Field, preparations in Champaign and Bourbonnais continue as they get ready to play host to the Bears. Perhaps the Bears should have followed through with their plan to leave the lakefront. Everybody knows the sinking feeling you get after you shake hands on a deal, then realize you've been snookered. With the purchase agreement now in place, the Bears will now soon be the proud owners of a 326-acre piece of land that will easily fit any new stadium design they might have in mind. As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or site.. 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. CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the Chicago Bears consider leaving the city for a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Park District officials on Monday unveiled three options for renovating Soldier Field, including a possible dome over the lakefront arena. To this end, we maintain a strong working relationship with Rosa Escareno, the new Chicago Park District General Superintendent, her staff, and the ASM Global management team.". Click here to get the full experience on your screen. One big downside to Soldier Field is that it's the smallest stadium in the NFL. The stadium, which was built in 1924, only seats 61,500 and due to spacial constraints, it's unlikely that number could ever be expanded by much. Proceeds from the $3 admission tax would go to help pay off debt incurred to fund renovations of Soldier Field two decades ago. That land acquisition could close by as soon as early 2023. Each year, Soldier Field hosts football games, soccer matches, major concerts, international sporting events, and dozens of other events. 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. Smith was fined $5,000 for a hit on Kansas City running back Greg Hill on Aug. 22. CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced proposals for renovations of Soldier Field, a crown jewel of both Chicago and our celebrated lakefront Museum Campus. Three concepts for Soldier Field renovations. 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 last 50 years. 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. A renovation of Soldier Field about 20 years ago essentially consisted of building a new seating bowl structure within the confines of the original 1924 stadiums A renovation of Soldier Field in 2004 cost $690 million,according to theChicago Tribune, and a renovation now would likely cost even more. The statement also said the proposal would "dramatically expand the opportunity for major sponsorships and naming rights.". 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. Heres What A Soldier Field Dome Could Look Like Under Mayo The Bears announced on Wednesday that they have entered a purchase agreement to buy the Arlington International Racecourse property, which is located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb that sits roughly 35 miles outside of downtown Chicago. Jason S. Parini can be followed on Twitter: @JasonPariniBR, off of the National Register of Historic Places. If the Bears started the process of planning a new stadium at some point next year and the stadium took four years to complete -- from the design stage to the final day of construction -- they could cut an $84 million check to the city of Chicago in 2026 and start playing at their new stadium then. As I have said numerous times, our door in City Hall remains open. She didnt mention that the Bears would own an Arlington Heights facility but would be a tenant of the Chicago Park District at Soldier Field. CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced proposals for renovations of Soldier Field, a crown jewel of both Chicago and our celebrated lakefront Museum 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. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/27/chicago-bears-soldier-field-renovation-projects-approved/, 2023 NFL draft: Experts hand out grades for Bears, Bears' updated roster following 2023 NFL draft, Grading every Bears pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Bears 2023 NFL draft tracker: Pick-by-pick analysis, Bears assign jersey numbers for their 2023 draft class, Twitter reacts to the Bears' selection of WR Tyler Scott, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Basically, the door is now completely open for the Bears to start the process of leaving downtown Chicago, although the process might not get started for another year or two. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. The structure itself isn't the only problem with the current state of Soldier Field. Discover another part of the world. It might happen at a used car lot. Linebacker Gary Plummer is ready to return to the San Francisco 49ers after sitting out the first two games while recovering from a broken left wrist. Though the capacity has greatly varied over time, its current layout seats only 61,500, making it the smallest stadium in the NFL. Originally constructed in 1924, Soldier Field has been home to the Bears since 1971. Building their own stadium also would give them full control over their home arena, rather than having to rely on a lease with the Park District for Soldier Field. The mayor's office estimated the costs of the three options would range from $900 million to $2.2 billion. "I don't want to speculate and get ahead of ourselves, but we believe in collaboration and shared value and investment," she said. "I've seen a couple of reports [of a possible move] but a couple of data points that I think you should be aware of are the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field until 2033 and the NFL doesn't let any teams break their leases," Lightfoot said at the time. Lightfooot said she hopes the Bears will stay. They want a tier one stadium environment to maximize revenues, and we agree that we are going to keep making the case to the Bears, the NFL and public that a revitalized Soldier Field makes the most economic sense for that storied franchise," Lightfoot said during an address Monday. Give your students the gift of international friendships. If the Bears aren't ready to buy the lease out in 2026, the fee would actually go down each year through 2033. But, the Chicago Bears aren't convinced. With the team's purchase agreement now in place, Lightfoot might start taking the Bears' threat to leave more seriously, but in reality, it's probably too late for that. 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. The approval involves financing for the 2015 scoreboard installation and the 2019 videoboard installation near the Walter Payton and George Halas statues. Click below to see everything we have to offer. The approval involves financing "As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or sites, including renovations to Soldier Field, while we are under contract. Bear linebacker Vinson Smith says his aggressiveness wont be affected by his third fine in three seasons, the latest for a rough hit during an exhibition game. This plan is essentially the same, with a few major additions. All rights reserved, Pat McAfee Against City Putting a Dome Over Soldier Field, Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould Supports Bears' Departing Soldier Field, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? Sure, the stadium is a historic landmark. "It's important to note that each of these scenarios will allow us to continue benefitting from Soldier Field regardless of whether or not the Bears choose to stay or go - and of course we hope that they choose to stay. Plummer suffered the wrist fracture in the exhibition opener against Denver, and the injury brought an end to his playing streak of 133 consecutive regular-season games dating to 1987, when he was with San Diego. Aside from whether or not the proposed dome would be enough to convince the Bears to say, the mayor's proposal does not answer another important question. Under the first option, the stadium would be enclosed by rebuilding both ends of the stadium with columns that can support a dome. Here are the released renderings of a proposed "Dome" renovation of Soldier Field released by the Mayor's office today. $50 to park? 11:44 am ET, get out of the lease in 2026 by paying a penalty, Ranking teams likely to land Williams in 2024 NFL Draft, Prisco's 2023 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams, Exploring Titans' options at wide receiver, Cowboys' 'ship has not sailed' on bringing back Zeke, Best post-draft fits for top-remaining NFL free agents, Bears one step closer to leaving Soldier Field, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, Best, worst, most interesting pick for all, Winners, losers from the draft: Crafty Colts, Undrafted free agent tracker: Team-by-team list of signings, 10 veteran moves that should happen post-2023 draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Steelers' draft haul one the team hadn't seen in 38 years. 130 E. Randolph St. Ticket sales and other revenue from Bears games would pay off the bonds and the Bears portion of the funding. Phase one: Reduce the overall capacity of Soldier Field while destroying its historic image and forcing it off of the National Register of Historic Places. New proposals for Soldier Field's potential renovations have been released. "As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or sites, including renovations to Soldier Field, while we are under contract," the Bears said in a statement. Still, Lightfoot said she's confident the Bears will give the city's proposal for a domed Soldier Field a chance. Quadruple the food and beverage square footage from 50,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet. on This Day - Soldier Field | History, Events, Renovation, & Facts | Britan Under the first option, the stadium would be enclosed by rebuilding both ends of the stadium with columns that can support a dome. Lightfoot did not say much about how the cost of the workestimated at $900 million to $2.2 billionwould be funded, though stadium naming rights and 22 other corporate sponsorships are on the table. The Working Group was chaired by Richard Price, Executive Chairman of Mesirow. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, Dodgers dont need the long ball to finish sweep of Cardinals, Lakers vs. Warriors: What scouts expect in playoff series, School is in session as Sparks begin training camp, The Times final regular-season top 25 baseball rankings. Anyone planning on commuting to the stadium for a Bears game is in for a stressful experience. https://t.co/7pm7mLtCOc. Three concepts for Soldier Field renovations. Landing spots for top undrafted free agents: Who signed after Round 7? For gosh sakes, what is phase three going to be? An improved Soldier Field will deliver a world-class visitor experience, said Mayor Lightfoot. Were counting on his playing in this game, Coach George Seifert said. The Bears At the center of the proposal is the construction of a domed stadium, which could cost anywhere from $900 million to $2.2 billion. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? The name was changed to Soldier Field to honor those who had fought in World War I. The Arlington Park site, which is 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, could be the site of a new stadium for the Bears in the future. The Bears lease at Soldier Field expires after the 1999 season, and McCaskey has threatened to leave Chicago after that if the aging stadium isnt replaced. However, other analyses of the plan point out that the actual park space is only half of that. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Rebuild both endzones with columns to make the stadium dome ready. "What's also important Soldier Field remains a highly desired venue by many other sports activities, music and more," she said. Lightfoot said that while the renovations will benefit the historic venue, regardless of the team's decision to stay or go, it could save the team more than $1 billion when compared to the cost of building a new stadium. It would be foolish not to," she said. Melissa Isaacson. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | My statement still stands on the Bears: my admin remains committed to continuing the work to keep the team in Chicago. All three options would preserve the stadium's iconic colonnades, while expanding capacity from 61,500 seats to 70,000 seats. 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. Now, whether hes able to play the whole game or not remains to be seen.. If you're going to do something, do it right the first time. In the meantime, we remain committed to fulfilling our Permit Operating Agreement (POA) at Soldier Field. However, the math simply doesn't add up. Expand seating from 61,500 seats up to 70,000 total seats including additional fan activation areas. Create more flexible event space and multi-purpose venues including up to 4 venues with capacity ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 or more. The state is swimming in debt and may be helping the Sports Facilities Authority dig out of its Soldier Field hole for some time. Spend a semester or a school year abroad with a host family and attend high school classes. The story of the Cowboys scout and prospect son Dallas just drafted, Legacy pick: Cardinals take great-great-nephew of team's first-ever draft pick, From trade request to 5-year extension: Answering the biggest questions about Lamar Jackson's new deal, Bears put in bid to buy Arlington Int'l Racecourse, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I cant let it affect the way I play, Smith said. Background papers distributed by the mayors press office indicate the stadium would be expanded to up to 70,000 seats, from 61,500 now. 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. Once a classical Romanesque structure, the stadium now looks as if a giant spaceship landed right in the middle of the playing surface. Having opened in 1924, with renovations taking place in 2003, Soldier Field is the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League and Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. In an email, team Executive Vice President Scott Hagel said the team would stand by its statement of July 7, when Lightfoots lakefront panel first urged that she consider a dome. Lightfoot declined to say how much of the potential $2.2 billion tab the city is prepared to pay for. The proposal includes the idea of building a dome over Soldier Field so it could be used year-round, along with removing Burnham Harbor and replacing it with parking floating pavilions. Giving the Bears the opportunity to possibly sell naming rights to the stadium was also floated. 'Soldier Field must be a year-round destination,' Mayor Lightfoot says. The Bears said in June that they made a bid for the land because they wanted to explore the possibility of building a new stadium there. 1-877-812-1590, Opinion: Expand the budget office to give the City Council meaningful input on spending plans, NASCAR may force Taste of Chicago from its longtime Grant Park home, Sponsored Content: Shifting into action: How CFOs can play a larger role with ESG, Outcome Health execs convicted in federal fraud case, The Most Powerful Women In Chicago Business. Chicagoans are still on the hook for $640 million for Soldier Field renovations from 2002. But oddly, it calls for adding only seven new suites, a big money-maker at other sports arenas around the country. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? An improved Soldier Field will deliver a world-class visitor experience, said Mayor Lightfoot. Furthermore, any of these proposed renovations will allow Soldier Field to retain its role as an economic engine for Chicago for years to come, as these changes will allow us to keep bringing sports, music and other exciting events to our city. All options include major programmatic changes and concourse space improvements and, most importantly, preserve historical components of Soldier Field including the colonnades. One of the subareas of the Working Group was Athletic Facilities, led by Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital, which included focusing on the vision for Soldier Field. Just ten years removed from the extensive $660 million renovations of the An official website of the City of Chicago, City Council Office of Financial Analysis, Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability, The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Mayor Lightfoot Announces Three Options for Proposed Renovations to Soldier Field. "Our goal is to chart a path forward that allows our team to thrive on the field, Chicagoland to prosper from this endeavor, and the Bears organization to be ensured a strong future.". As part of a Earlier this month, the Museum Campus Working Group published its report, Where Worlds Connect, detailing key analysis and recommendations to enhance the Museum Campus. Yet another reason why the original plan wasn't so great. But should Bears choose to stay in our city, Soldier Field will be a top 10 tier stadium with a number of new features.