By Mary Corrado
Editor
The Chicago Cubs on Friday filed a Planned Development with the City of Chicago which reflects the final pieces of the plan first proposed three years ago, including a multi-purpose building on Clark Street, an open-air pedestrian parkway immediately west of Wrigley Field, and expansion of the ballpark's bleacher seating section.
"These plans reflect significant feedback from our community, the City and our local aldermen over the past three years and will help ensure Wrigley Field keeps its place as one of the signature ballparks in America," said Andy MacPhail, president and CEO of the Chicago Cubs. "The improvements will also help us continue to pursue success on the field by generating revenue we will invest in our team. "
The proposed improvements are intended to enhance the look of Wrigley Field from the outside—upgrading the stadium facade on Sheffield and Waveland avenues, widening sidewalks on Clark Street, landscaping sidewalks around the entire ballpark and replacing a car wash and former donut shop on land west of the ballpark with a multi-purpose building and open pedestrian parkway.
Within the multi-purpose building, players will benefit from state-of-the-art batting cages, indoor pitcher's mounds and other facilities to be located underground. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy a themed restaurant and wider sidewalks to ease pedestrian traffic. A multi-level parking garage will offer spaces to residents and businesses on non-game days. Additional restroom facilities will address fan needs.
The filing also incorporates the Cubs ' request to renovate and expand the Wrigley Field bleachers. According to the Cubs, bleacher renovation would blend seamlessly with existing seating and add new restrooms, concessions, the first-ever disabled seating areas in the bleachers, and a "batter's eye" restaurant in center field where fans could view games through tinted glass from an air-conditioned space. This restaurant would be located where there are now juniper bushes.
Outside Wrigley Field, ivy and other greenery would cover now-bare walls. Enhanced lighting and the addition of 24-hour security monitors would improve security.
The Cubs say they will continue to work with owners of rooftop businesses, the City and the community through the Planned Development process.
In related news, the Cubs are working with the City to resolve an ownership dispute regarding a parcel of land west of Wrigley Field. "We share the goal of the Commissioner of Planning and Development to resolve all these issues by the end of the calendar year," MacPhail said.
To move forward, the Planned Development must be approved by the Chicago Plan Commission and the Chicago City Council. Even if approved by the City by the end of 2004, construction is not likely to begin before the end of the 2005 baseball season. |
