"I think that there's no possibility they're not gonna consider this plan. Seriously? Of course, that's not exactly true. 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? 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. Option three calls for modifying the field to be a multi-purpose stadium better suited for soccer while improving its flexibility to accommodate major concerts and a range of events., Standing between two screens with blurry images of the three stadium options, Lightfoot said they want a tier one stadium environment to maximize revenues and we agree.. 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. Taking a group abroad? These proposals stem from considerations and recommendations made by the Mayors Museum Campus Working Group. 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. Option 3: Modify Soldier Field to be a multi-purpose stadium better suited for soccer while improving its flexibility to accommodate major concerts and a range of events. 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. A renovation of Soldier Field in 2004 cost $690 million,according to theChicago Tribune, and a renovation now would likely cost even more. Yet another reason why the original plan wasn't so great. 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. ", 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. In February, Edgar proposed a $465-million project that would add a 72,000-seat domed stadium and expand McCormick Place. 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. Three concepts for Soldier Field renovations. NFL owners approve two Soldier Field renovation projects The only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park, that statement said. "Not surprisingly, we are doing what we believe is making a compelling case for the Chicago Bears to stay in Chicago. "This announcement from the Bears comes in the midst of negotiations for improvements at Soldier Field. Latest Bears stadium legislation would add $3 to ticket prices at 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.". Students live with a host family and attend classes on a daily basis. It also discusses the possibility of quadrupling the amount of food and beverage space in the field to 200,000 square feet. 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. Who would pay for it? 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. New proposals for Soldier Field's potential renovations have been released. 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. Sure, the stadium is a historic landmark. 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. CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced proposals for renovations of Soldier Field, a crown jewel of both Chicago and our celebrated lakefront Museum Unfortunately for the city of Chicago and the Chicago Bears, no one ever told them that. ), 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. All Rights Reserved. Immersion Homestays and Study Abroad programs Summer, Semester, or School Year. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The mayor emphasized that options one and two "make Soldier Field a top tier NFL stadium with tremendous opportunity for the Bears to fulfill their vision.". Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. ), Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 26, 2021. Mayor Lori Lightfoot today rolled out her vision for the future of Soldier Field and, as expected, constructing a dome over the historic arena is one of the options. Rendering of a proposal to renovate Soldier Field with a dome and thousands of new seats. Lightfoot also announced the launch of a website that features more details and photos of the proposed changes. After the event, Lightfoot dodged questions from reporters seeking more details on how the three renovations would be financed and who would pay for them, and when the city would make a decision on which option would be selected. Irrelevant' pick on Toledo's Johnson, Chargers go all-in on TCU with Duggan pick in 7th, NFL Nation sizes up all 259 draft selections. Soldier Field | History, Events, Renovation, & Facts "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. An improved Soldier Field will deliver a world-class visitor experience, said Mayor Lightfoot. 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. PHOTOS: Soldier Field through the years - WGN-TV "What's also important Soldier Field remains a highly desired venue by many other sports activities, music and more," she said. 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.. amilies can welcome a foreign student in their home for 2-4 weeks in the summer or 2 weeks during fall, winter, or spring vacations. LIghtfoot has spent the past several months downplaying the possibility of the Bears leaving downtown Chicago. But oddly, it calls for adding only seven new suites, a big money-maker at other sports arenas around the country. Option 1: Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. Ideally, the Bears and Chicago will find a way to expand the stadium without making it even more of an eyesore than it already is. I cant let it affect the way I play, Smith said. Enclosed walkways would connect the stadium with the McCormick Place convention center on the Lake Michigan waterfront. Soldier Field renovation options Option 1: Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. 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. Mayor Lightfoot Announces Three Options for Proposed Though after the 2003 renovations were finished, the U.S. government thought the stadium had been changed so much that it was taken off of the National Register of Historic Places. Everybody knows the sinking feeling you get after you shake hands on a deal, then realize you've been snookered. 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. 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. The Working Group was chaired by Richard Price, Executive Chairman of Mesirow. However, other analyses of the plan point out that the actual park space is only half of that. The plan got a cold shoulder from McCaskey and Daley. The main reason behind Mayor Emanuel's desire to renovate is likely his desire to bid for the 2019 Super Bowl. In the afternoon, there will be activities and excursions to practice language skills. Soldier Field Believe it or not, the stadium actually lost 5,000 seats when the Bears and Chicago renovated the landmark in 2003. They also had two sideboards posted along the outside of the stadium by the statues of Halas and Payton. "I don't want to speculate and get ahead of ourselves, but we believe in collaboration and shared value and investment," she said. 130 E. Randolph St. Anyone planning on commuting to the stadium for a Bears game is in for a stressful experience. At the center of the proposal is the construction of a domed stadium, which could cost anywhere from $900 million to $2.2 billion. Chicago Bears Soldier Field dome: Landmark Development The time to travel and study abroad is now! Quadruple the food and beverage square footage from 50,000 sq ft to 200,000 sq ft. Add secondary club and activation areas to as many as 20. renovations According to published reports, the Bears' lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, but would require them to pay the city only $84 million in damages if they were to break their lease in 2026, which would likely be the earliest they could expect to build and move into a new stadium in Arlington Heights. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Though the capacity has greatly varied over time, its current layout seats only 61,500, making it the smallest stadium in the NFL. 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. The Bears even went as far as selecting an architect to design a west-side stadium, which would have put three of Chicago's five main sports teams within a few hundred feet of each other. 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. Team president Ted Phillips said the move was all about ensuring a strong future for the Bears. One of the largest selling points in the stadium's original renovation was the pitch that the facility will be a "stadium in a park." Soldier Field Gets Glitzy Overhaul (And Much More Food) The name was changed to Soldier Field to honor those who had fought in World War I. All three options would preserve the stadium's iconic colonnades, while expanding capacity from 61,500 seats to 70,000 seats. The state is swimming in debt and may be helping the Sports Facilities Authority dig out of its Soldier Field hole for some time. 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 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. Unfortunately for the city of Chicago and the Chicago Bears, no one ever told them that. Expand seating from 61,500 seats up to 70,000 total seats including additional fan activation areas. That land acquisition could close by as soon as early 2023. Here are the released renderings of a proposed "Dome" renovation of Soldier Field released by the Mayor's office today. Were counting on his playing in this game, Coach George Seifert said. "And like most Bears fans, we want the organization to focus on putting a winning team on the field, beating the Packers finally and being relevant past October. CHICAGO (WLS) -- As Melissa Isaacson. Proceeds from the $3 admission tax would go to help pay off debt incurred to fund renovations of Soldier Field two decades ago. Ticket sales and other revenue from Bears games would pay off the bonds and the Bears portion of the funding. 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. 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. In the meantime, we remain committed to fulfilling our Permit Operating Agreement (POA) at Soldier Field. Here's a look at the three proposals unveiled Monday in the city (see images below): Fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both endzones with columns that can support a dome structure. 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 Discover another part of the world. No timetable was set for the plan; construction would take three years during off-seasons. 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. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. / by Ryan Taylor Bears The fight to keep the Chicago Bears in the city continues. Proceeds from the $3 admission tax would go to help pay off debt incurred to fund renovations of Soldier Field two decades ago. Just ten years removed from the extensive $660 million renovations of the But even after the renovation, Soldier Field remained the smallest capacity stadium in the NFL an issue Bears leadership has said hamstrings the team. It hurts.. Sign up for our newsletter and have updates delivered to your inbox! 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. And now, as Chicagoans may be coming to realize, it can also happen when your mayor signs off on a massive public subsidy to rebuild a stadium on the Rehab foes win court round; city warns of delays. The initial announcement regarding a Chicago stadium project had many fans wondering if a potential move to Arlington Heights an always popular rumor given Arlington International Racecourse is for sale was about to ramp up. They might be closer than ever. 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. 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. News. Perhaps the Bears should have followed through with their plan to leave the lakefront. "An improved Soldier Field will deliver a world-class visitor experience," Lightfoot said in a statement. "Soldier Field must be a year-round destination. But the stadium must be a year-round destination.. 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. 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. Proponents of the idea boasted that the renovations would add 19 acres of park space along the lake. Lightfoot said she last talked to Bears chairman George McCaskey two weeks ago and told him about these plans, though she did not say anything about his level of interest. By choosing the option of a retractable roof and thus an indoor/outdoor facility, the city would possibly be in a better position to host events such as the Super Bowl, college bowl games and even events such as the NCAA Final Four while keeping their home field advantage in the cold weather. History of Soldier Field - Illinois Sports Facilities Authority In September, the Bears took a step toward leaving historic Soldier Field when they signed a $197.2 million purchase and sale agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. for the 326-acre Arlington Park property in suburban Arlington Heights after the track, which has hosted thoroughbred racing since 1927, was put up for sale.