Cubs Unveil Wrigley Field Renovation Plan
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 10, 2013 11:05PM
DNAInfo Chicago has the latest on the Cubs’ long-stalled plans to renovate Wrigley Field.
The ballclub presented its latest proposal at a meeting of the West Lakeview Neighbors Association Wednesday night that includes upgrades to the dugouts, luxury and press boxes, added concessions and a batting cage under the grandstand in the park, and a hotel, new offices and a two-story retail plaza, and open space for farmers markets and outdoor movies outside the Friendly Confines.
Cubs' manager of community outreach, grants and donations Jennifer Dedes Nowak told the group the plan would be phased in over a four-year period if approved.
Oh, yeah. That. The plans can’t go forward unless the city approves Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s so-called “Fenway Plan” to relax the landmark status on the ballpark so the Cubs can raise the necessary funds to finance the in-the-park potion of the plan. There’s been no movement on that since Ricketts family patriarch Joe Ricketts (who owns DNAInfo) was reported to have funded a study to attack President Barack Obama during the 2012 election. Emanuel has stated that the study would not stand in the way of a deal to relax Wrigley’s landmark status. But there's no denying the talks have been stalled since. Ben Strauss, writing for Chicago magazine, looks at the power players behind a possible deal.
If the plan is approved by the city, the Cubs could raise as much as $150 million in revenue from advertisers and sponsorships from the stadium and surrounding streets. The Cubs have been seeking as much as $300 million in public money to help renovate the ballpark. They'll reveal the plan to the full public Jan. 19.