With possibility of Bears leaving Chicago, park district weighing Soldier Field’s future

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Park District is forging ahead with plans for life after the Chicago Bears. It comes as the team is weighing a move to a new stadium that would likely be built in either Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch On Monday, the Indiana House advanced a bill that sets up the financing to build a Bears stadium near Hammond. It would also create a stadium authority. Lawmakers passed an amendment that specifies when the budget committee should receive updates on transportation plans. The bill now heads to final consideration by the House. Meanwhile, there is a plan in the works to transform Soldier Field into a world-class concert venue and a host for other major sporting events. Soldier Field will always be thought of as the home of the Chicago Bears, even if they end up moving out of the iconic and historic stadium. The Chicago Park District says its No. 1 priority is keeping the Bears in Chicago. But leadership is also making plans if it loses its No. 1 tenant. “We at the district are committed to ensuring that Chicago continues to have a lakefront stadium that is driving the local tourism economy and that is generating revenue for the Chicago Park District and for the city of Chicago,” Chicago Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez Rosa said. And that means turning Soldier Field into a premier concert and special events venue. A number of major artists are already slated to perform there this summer. Sources familiar with the plans say it calls for a $630 million overall investment. Of that, $130 million will go toward direct stadium upgrades. The remaining $500 million would go for infrastructure improvements to help with parking and traffic management. David Doig was the park district CEO when Soldier Field was redone 25 years ago. “There needs to be upgrades. I think there needs to be improvements to, you know, the locker room facilities. All of the amenities I’m sure need upgrading, sound system and all of that. Some of the seating might need to be reconfigured,” said Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives. Soldier Field brings in millions of dollars in revenue from parking and amusement taxes tied to concerts. That money helps fund park district programs across the city. But officials concede a new Bears stadium elsewhere could lure concerts away from Soldier Field. “There’s no question that if there’s a new stadium in the Chicagoland area, that there will be competition for Soldier Field.” While the Bears may be the most high-profile tenant at Soldier Field, they are not the biggest revenue generator for the park district. If the Bears leave, it could actually mean more money coming in. But experts say the aging stadium will need a dedicated long-term revenue stream for upkeep and maintenance.
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