Lori Lightfoot seemed relatively confident last year when news first broke the Chicago Bears had placed their big on the Arlington Racecourse property. There was no way the team was leaving Soldier Field. They were under a lease, and the Bears had played in that build for half a century. Such naivete soon reared its heady as the franchise had the winning bid, securing 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights. Everybody knew the McCaskeys had started building a new stadium at that point.
Suddenly the city politicians realized the danger, and Lightfoot began insisting ways could be found to entice the Bears into staying. It started with proposals for a land renovation that would improve revenue streams. That didn’t work. Now the desperation is becoming even more apparent. According to Greg Hinz of Chicago Business, the mayor has recommended the city explore adding a dome on top of Soldier Field. Other additions involve rebuilding parts of the historic stadium and selling the naming rights.
The problem? Taxpayers may have to foot some of the bills. We’re talking anywhere between $400 million to $1.5 billion.
Chicago Bears aren’t likely to budge on that idea.
Adding a dome to Soldier Field may increase revenue possibilities. However, it doesn’t change the underlying problem that started this whole mess: ownership. The Bears don’t own the stadium. The Chicago Park District does. The constant brick walls they ran into trying to discuss upgrades to the building led to their Arlington bid in the first place. Why stay at Soldier Field for some extra cash when they can own a brand-new stadium without a landlord to worry about?
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That is the mountain Lightfoot tumbled down when this began and is now trying to climb back up frantically. She is running out of time. The Chicago Bears expect the deal for the property to be complete midway through 2023 at the latest. They’ve already begun consulting architect firms about what the new stadium could look like. It feels like the point of no return is fast approaching.
The Park District can’t even maintain the playing surface, worst in the NFL. A roof on Soldier Field is a pipe-dream.
Ha ha Beetlejuice! She looks like a cross between beetlejuice and Teddy Bridgewater. LOL
Another epic fail by the worst mayor in modern day history in Chicago.
Was a lost cause well before she became mayor
Mayor foot in her own ass, has a huge problem being a politician. She is horrible. I question her credentials all the time. She seems more focused on trying to get back at people when they question her. And don’t mention her being gay cause I think she hates being gay.