Current:Home > NewsBears say they’re eyeing a new home in Chicago, a shift in focus from a move to the suburbs-LoTradeCoin
Bears say they’re eyeing a new home in Chicago, a shift in focus from a move to the suburbs
View
Date:2025-01-13 23:26:10
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears are prepared to provide more than $2 billion in funding toward a publicly owned stadium in the city, signaling a shift in focus away from building a new home in the suburbs.
“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue,” team president Kevin Warren said Monday in a statement. “We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”
The Bears are eyeing the south parking lot at Soldier Field, their home since 1971, as the site for an enclosed lakefront stadium. The new facility could host Super Bowls and Final Fours.
The Bears spent $197.2 million more than a year ago to purchase the site of the shuttered Arlington International Racecourse from Churchill Downs Inc. in suburban Arlington Heights. The team envisioned building a stadium on the 326-acre tract of land some 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, with restaurants, retail and more on the property — all for about $5 billion, with some taxpayer help.
The Bears said they would pay for the stadium in Arlington Heights, with taxpayer dollars covering infrastructure costs such as roads and sewers. Those plans stalled, with the team citing a property assessment it said was too high.
The Bears began listening to pitches from other suburbs and turned their attention toward remaining in the city. An ordinance in Chicago generally prohibits private development along the lakefront. A nonprofit group sued and in 2016 defeated a plan by filmmaker George Lucas to build a museum near Soldier Field.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has made it clear he wants to keep the team in the city. The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033.
“I have said all along that meaningful private investment and a strong emphasis on public benefit are my requirements for public-private partnerships in our city,” he said. “The Chicago Bears plans are a welcome step in that direction and a testament to Chicago’s economic vitality. I look forward to subsequent talks with the Bears, state leadership and community stakeholders about how we can continue to responsibly support the aspirations of the team, its fans and all residents of the city of Chicago.”
Baseball’s Chicago White Sox also are seeking public funding to build a stadium. They envision an open-air ballpark surrounded by restaurants, businesses and residences on a 62-acre parcel called “The 78” that is owned by development firm Related Midwest. It would be closer to downtown than their current home at Guaranteed Rate Field.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
veryGood! (5996)
Related
- Taylor Swift's Dad Scott Swift Photobombs Couples Pic With Travis Kelce
- Real Housewives of Orange County's Tamra Judge Shares She’s on Autism Spectrum
- Content Creator Dead at 26 After Falling Off Bridge While Filming
- United States men's national soccer team vs. Mexico: How to watch Tuesday's friendly
- My Chemical Romance returns with ‘The Black Parade’ tour
- North Carolina governor candidate Mark Robinson sues CNN over report about posts on porn site
- Grey's Anatomy Writer Took “Puke Breaks” While Faking Cancer Diagnosis, Colleague Alleges
- Drone footage shows destruction left by tornado ripping through Florida solar farm before Milton
- Pedro Pascal's Sister Lux Pascal Debuts Daring Slit on Red Carpet at Gladiator II Premiere
- Error-prone Jets' season continues to slip away as mistakes mount
Ranking
- Trump pledged to roll back protections for transgender students. They’re flooding crisis hotlines
- Travis Kelce Reacts All Too Well to His Date Night With Taylor Swift in NYC
- Travis Kelce Reacts All Too Well to His Date Night With Taylor Swift in NYC
- Feel Free to Talk About These Fight Club Secrets
- Georgia public universities and colleges see enrollment rise by 6%
- SEC, Big Ten considering blockbuster scheduling agreement for college football's new frontier
- MLB playoffs averaging 3.33 million viewers through division series, an 18% increase over last year
- Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard complete Hail Mary touchdown at end of first half vs. Bills
Recommendation
Shawn Mendes Confesses He and Camila Cabello Are No Longer the Closest
Lionel Messi has hat trick, two assists in Argentina's 6-0 lead vs. Bolivia
Petitions for union representation doubled under Biden’s presidency, first increase since 1970s
The Daily Money: So long, city life
Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
Dylan Sprouse Proves He's Wife Barbara Palvin's Biggest Cheerleader Ahead of Victoria's Secret Show
Deion Sanders says Travis Hunter is coming back from injury
When will Jonathon Brooks play? Latest injury update on Panthers rookie RB