Cubs Launch Website, Online Petition Drive For Supporting Renovation Plan

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 15, 2013 2:15PM

Image courtesy Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs launched a website Tuesday to round up support of its renovation plans. The site includes renderings of what Wrigley Field and the surrounding neighborhood would look like after the plan is completed, the benefits for fans and neighbors of the ballpark, how the renovation plans will contribute to finally bringing sustained winning baseball to Clark and Addison, and an online petition for supporters of the plan to fill out.

The frequently asked questions section of the website lays out how the $500 million project will not cost taxpayers a single penny while showing how the Cubs will give back to the community and how the plan will be a jobs creator. The Cubs and the Emanuel administration agreed in principle to the framework of the plan last month, although the ballclub will have to participate in a series of neighborhood hearings and city hearings to vet it, and overcome the objections of the Wrigleyville Rooftops Association, who have balked at any plan that involves obstructing their views of the field.

Apparently, there’s a whole block of people to sway. A Tribune/WGN poll showed 47 percent of respondents favored neither the Ricketts family nor the rooftop owners in the ongoing debate, which the Trib said could be a measure of fatigue or indifference. The poll showed 28 percent supported the Cubs’ plans while 21 percent backed the rooftop owners.