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Cubs Propose Wrigley Changes

By vouchey in News on Jun 18, 2004 9:51PM

cubs_devel.jpgDriving by Wrigley Field on Clark Street Chicagoist has always wondered, "Why the heck haven't the Cubs developed that big parking lot?" Well, after decades they finally proposed development plans, and the plans are big.

The Chicago Cubs filed a planned development in City Hall today, "to expand WrigleyÂ’s bleachers, add a multi-purpose building and an open-air pedestrian walkway to the area west of the park, and update the facades and sidewalks along Sheffield and Waveland avenues," according to Crain's Chicago Business. The Cubs press release doesn't discuss exactly how the bleachers will be expanded, but Crain's mentions 1,980 new bleacher seats, and a glass enclosed restaurant in center field. The new space on Clark will have a restaurant, player training facilities, offices, and 400 parking spaces.

Chicagoist thinks we should have seen this coming. Only a few months ago the Cubs bought the space on Clark. And one of the big contentions with the rooftop neighbors was that if the Cubs didn't negotiate, the city would declare Wrigley a landmark. The Cubs dodged the landmark, got their land, and now they're going for everything else they wanted. Smart negotiating Tribune Company!