by Clark N. Sheffield
Special to Inside
For two years now Wrigleyville has wrestled with the Chicago Cubs and city officials over the fate of the proposed expansion and redesign of Wrigley Field. A lot has transpired in those two years and what once seemed like a crucial urban issue for Lake View locals has lost some of its luster in light of current events.
Now comes news that Ald. Bernie Hansen, in whose 44th Ward Wrigley Field resides, will be retiring after a lifetime of public service. In his tenure Hansen has been closely associated with the transformation of Wrigleyville from a somewhat worn and seedy area into a boomtown that draws visitors from all corners of the world.
It’s not the chicken wings at Yakzies and hot dogs at Byron’s or even the warm beer at the Cubby Bear that they are coming for—it’s Wrigley Field that draws these fans from across the street and across the nation. The ball park is the fifth largest entertainment attraction in Chicago and injects millions of dollars into the local economy each year.
An altogether fitting legacy for Ald. Hansen would be for the affected parties to take action and move forward with an agreement so that Bernie can seal the deal on an issue which he has shepherded for much of his career. Ideally this could be the parting act of a faithful public servant who is leaving office on terms not of his making.
Readers of this newspaper may recall our 2002 April Fool’s edition titled The Wrigleyville Homer that roasted all sides of the debate that flared up as this last baseball season opened. It was published in fun but also pointed to all of the divergent special interests who inserted themselves into the conflict. Our call today for closure comes from a true outsider’s perspective—as that April Fool’s edition insulted all parties equally and put us squarely on most people’s “pay no mind” list.
Despite what some activists and the rooftop owners may say, the Cubs organization is not evil, mischievous or underhanded. We have now all heard entirely too much from all sides, in depth, ad nauseam. The owners of roof top bars were never a factor in the Cubs’ need to expand their facility which currently has the third smallest capacity in all of baseball. We say, “Enough already.”
Wrigley Field is the main reason Wrigleyville has gentrified and it is the economic engine to one of Chicago’s most popular destinations. Indeed, that’s why the area is affectionately called “Wrigleyville” by Chicagoans. Most of the locals love the Cubs. They are as much a part of the community as anyone and the team has made a compelling and earnest argument for the need to expand the ball park and grounds and add some additional night games. This is especially true since they’re paying for all of it themselves, a unique characteristic in the business of stadium-building these days (visit Lake Shore Dr. and 22nd St., or 35th St. and the Dan Ryan for comparisons).
The folks who really have some explaining to do are the rooftop and bar owners themselves who profit greatly on the backs of the Chicago Cubs’ product. Rooftop ticket prices are four to five times what the team itself charges for their bleacher seats, which are some of the most sought-after tickets in all of baseball. These people have truly exploited the once-romantic notion of neighbors sitting in lawn chairs watching a game up on their roofs into a $5 million a year gravy train.
Their covert takeover of the East Lake View Neighbors and attempted coup d’état of the Hawthorn Neighbors Association last year were acts as brazen as this newspaper has seen in 20 years. Their claims to “speak for the community” ring hollow for those who know the real players behind this junta. They’ve made millions off of this parasitic relationship and the fact that they have hijacked the debate and stalled this issue for two years should exclude them from any further sympathy from the city or Lake View community. They’re also good businessmen and should be smart enough to clam up now and get a deal done.
Besides Hansen’s retirement, another issues hangs over Wrigley Field like the Sword of Damocles—Landmark Designation. The city’s tolling agreement with the Cubs organization expires on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and the Cubs believe they have come to terms with the community and the city’s Department of Planning and Development such that an agreement can now be reached.
Being landmarked is not popular or desirable for most commercial property owners. The proposed Landmark Designation over a major league baseball park is an untested experiment and a risk that could easily put the team at a competitive disadvantage in the future. No other sports facility or team in Chicago has ever born such a burden—nor any other major league baseball organization in history. The Cubs are in first place in this division, folks.
Nobody knows what the next 100 years will bring to the business of baseball but one thing is for sure: once this deal is sealed and the Cubs expand under the agreement, it will likely be the last time any significant changes will ever be made to the ballpark under the strict tenets of the Landmark legislation.
This agreement will follow the organization for generations to come and certainly handcuff future team leaders who haven’t even been born yet. Wrigley Field’s signature scoreboard, marquee and ivy-covered home run fence will outlive all of us as Landmark Designation lasts for eternity... or until the Cubs win their next World Series, whichever comes first.
But seriously, fellow Lake View neighbors, the Cubs are ready to make this leap of faith on the Landmark Designation so it is time to clear the bases. Our trusty veteran slugger Bernie Hansen is up for his last at-bat and can hit one out of the park with a little help from his teammates. Gentlemen, let’s play ball. |
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