Wrigley Field Toyota Sign Gets Another Green Light

By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 25, 2010 9:00PM

The path to getting the lighted Toyota sign put up in the left field stands at Wrigley Field has cleared another hurdle, getting the green light from the City Council’s Buildings Committee. Perhaps more important, though, is the reversal by Ald. Tom Tunney who had, until now, opposed the sign. Tunney has agreed to support it so long as the Cubs issue a moratorium on similar sign for the next four years. Estimates for total revenue generated by the sign stand at around $2.5 million a year.

Tom Gramatis, the owner of the building with the Horseshoe Casino ad on its rooftop, is opposing the sign, however, to the Zoning Board of Appeals since the Toyota sign would block the casino ad. If the appeals board rules for Gramatis, Tunney has agreed to give the okay to a different sign that would still be pretty similar to the proposed Toyota sign. The full City Council will vote on the sign on June 9 and, if approved, could be up just a few days later. As for what happens after June, 2014, when the moratorium expires, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts isn't concerned, telling the Sun-Times, “I’m not gonna try to predict what happens in four years... I’m not sure sure where you put signs. I’m not sure what happens next way down the path."