Cubs Want To Limit Traffic On Addison And Clark During Games
By Kate Shepherd in News on Jan 19, 2016 6:26PM
Updated 1:00 p.m.: A City Hall spokeswoman told the Tribune Tuesday that the city is really not likely to close Addison and Clark per the Cubs' request.
Major changes might be coming to Wrigleyville when the 2016 starts in April, thanks to some Cubs' security concerns.
The Cubs want to shut down traffic on a block of Addison and Clark streets around the stadium during games in order to increase the security perimeter around the stadium, according to Crain's.
"It would give us some comfort that the wrong types of people aren't going to roll up next to the park during a game," Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said at the Cubs Convention, Crain's reports. "The reality is, on game days, we're now a target."
The team says that they are in "advanced talks" with the city to have the streets closed during Wrigley Field events to some traffic. Under the plan, CTA buses would still be able to roll through.
The sudden push comes from a Major League Baseball recommendation for parks to have at least a 100-foot security perimeter in every direction.
The team also wants to add 8 to 10 feet to the sidewalks adjacent to Addison and Clark to prevent pedestrians from spilling into the street, which happens pretty frequently before and after games.
Sheffield and Waveland avenues on Wrigley's east and north borders are already closed to traffic during games so if traffic is shut down on Addison and Clark streets, all four streets around Wrigley would be closed.