
Potential Chicago Sites for a New Bears Stadium
Clip: 6/15/2023 | 4m 53sVideo has Closed Captions
A look at vacant Chicago land that could house a new Bears stadium.
The Bears have been stymied this far in plans to win tax breaks to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. If the Bears do stay in the city, where could a potential new stadium go?
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Potential Chicago Sites for a New Bears Stadium
Clip: 6/15/2023 | 4m 53sVideo has Closed Captions
The Bears have been stymied this far in plans to win tax breaks to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. If the Bears do stay in the city, where could a potential new stadium go?
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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>>> TAX BREAKS TO BUILD A NEW BEARS STADIUM IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.
THERE HAVE BEEN PLANS TO MOVE THE TEAM TO WAUKEGAN AND EVEN ROCKFORD, BUT CHICAGO MIGHT STILL BE IN THE GAME AS WELL.
>> AS ATTRACTIVE AS NEW RENDERINGS ARE, THE STADIUM CONSULTANT IS POSITIVE THAT THE BEARS HAVE NO FUTURE THERE.
SO WHAT ABOUT A NEW STADIUM SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHIN CITY LIMITS?
>> IF THE BEARS OFFERED UP A GREAT PIECE OF LAND WITH PROCEDURAL ASSISTANCE AND TAX CERTAINTY, I THINK THE BEARS WOULD DEFINITELY ENTERTAIN THAT DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: BASED PURELY ON CONJECTURE I FOUND SPOTS THAT WOULD GIVE THE BEARS PLENTY OF LAND TO BUILD THEIR NEW DREAM HOME.
STARTING ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.
A MASSIVE 415 ACRE PIECE OF UNDEVELOPED LAND THAT JUTS OUT INTO LAKE MICHIGAN, THE FORMER SITE OF A U.S. STEEL MANUFACTURING PLANT.
DEVELOPERS HAVE EITHER THE PROPERTY FOR THREE DECADES, BUT NOTHING HAS COME OF IT.
THAT COULD BE DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OVER THE COST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AND THE LACK OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
>> THAT HAS A LOT OF UPSIDE IF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES ARE RESOLVED, BUT IT ALSO HAS DOWNSIDE BASED ON WHEN AND IF AND HOW EXPENSIVE IT WOULD BE TO ADDRESS.
>> Reporter: GOING NORTH TO A MORE CENTRAL LOCATION WITH TONS OF TRANSPORTATION, THERE IS 78, A GIANT PARCEL OF LAND BORDERED BY THE CHICAGO RIVER TO THE WEST, CLARK TO THE EAST, AND 16th TO THE SOUTH.
AT FIRST GLANCE, WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE?
62 ACRES, NATURALLY LOCATED, THREE CTA LINES AND ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE!
THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY A GIANT MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES A PUBLIC TECH HUB.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW BEARS STADIUM, A SPOKESPERSON LEFT THE DOOR OPEN.
THEY SAID, QUOTE, WHILE WE ARE OPEN TO DISCUSSIONS AROUND AN ICONIC STADIUM AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE FIRST PHASE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ANCHORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS WHICH IS SLATED TO BREAK GROUND IN 2024.
>>> MOVING FOURTH, THE LINCOLN YARDS DEVELOPMENT JUST WEST OF LINCOLN PARK.
THIS IS THE BENEFICIARY OF A 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS TIP.
THEY ARE SAID TO HAVE TROUBLE FINDING FINANCING FOR THE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT.
SO WHY NOT A GIANT STADIUM AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT TO BAIL THEM OUT?
FOR ONE, GOOD LUCK SELLING NEARBY RESIDENTS.
A SPOKESPERSON POURED SOME COLD WATER ON THE IDEA.
QUOTE, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE BEARS STAY IN CHICAGO, BUT OUR FOCUS REMAINS ON EXECUTING THE VISION OUTLINED IN THE APPROVED PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT.
PERHAPS THE MOST FEASIBLE LOCATION HAS BEEN RIGHT UNDER THE BEARS' NOSES THIS ENTIRE TIME.
JUST TO THE SOUTH OF SOLDIER FIELD, THIS PARKING LOT, AND JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THAT, THE McCORMICK PLACE LAKESIDE CENTER WHICH THE CITY HAS TALKED ABOUT TEARING DOWN FOR YEARS.
THE ONE PROBLEM IS THE LAKEFRONT PROTECTION ORDINANCE WHICH FORBIDS NEW BUILDING ON THE SHORE.
JUST ASK GEORGE LUCAS ABOUT IT.
BUT THEY SAY IT IS A PERFECT LOCATION AND THE CITY MIGHT NEED TO GET CREATIVE.
>> I CAN SEE A DEAL WHEREBY THERE IS A TRADE-OFF.
AROUND SOLDIER FIELD BECOMES MORE PARKLAND, AND IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT, THE LAKESIDE SITE BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR A STADIUM AND OTHER POTENTIAL USES.
>> Reporter: CAN THE CITY PULL DOWN A LAST-MINUTE COMEBACK?
IT IS TIME FOR CHICAGO TO BEAR DOWN.
>> WE KNOW THE MAYOR AND THE NEW BEARS CEO HAD A PHONE CALL LAST WEEK.
THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS THEY TALKED ABOUT THESE SITES.
THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER NOTABLE LOCATIONS,
Former CPS School in Austin Now a Workforce Training Hub
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/15/2023 | 5m 35s | A long-vacant CPS school in Austin has found a new community-centric use. (5m 35s)
UChicago Professor on Threats of US Political Violence
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/15/2023 | 5m 37s | A look at the number of Americans who support the use of political violence. (5m 37s)
Vacant School Building in Englewood Eyed for Housing
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/15/2023 | 5m 41s | A CPS school that closed a decade ago may get new life in the Englewood community. (5m 41s)
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