Inside the Chicago Bears’ plans for Arlington Heights after $200m land grab with fears they could leave Soldier Field

THEIR dwelling since 1971, the Chicago Bears' days at Soldier Subject might be numbered.

Initially opened in 1924, Soldier Subject has been the house of the NFL's Chicago Bears for over 50 years.

The Bears paid just shy of $200million for the land in Arlington Heights
The Bears paid simply shy of $200million for the land in Arlington HeightsCredit score: Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears

The renderings feature a waterway splitting the entertainment area and the stadium itself
The renderings function a waterway splitting the leisure space and the stadium itselfCredit score: Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears

Nevertheless, the storied franchise has lately bought 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights.

The land, which price the Bears $197.2million in keeping with AP, has the potential to be "one of many largest mega-projects in Midwest historical past," per a assertion from the group.

Ought to the event of their proposed plans for the positioning go forward, it will reportedly "create greater than 48,000 jobs, generate $9.4 billion in financial influence for the Chicagoland economic system and supply $3.9 billion in new labor revenue to staff throughout the area."

'MISED-USE DISTRICT'

Positioned alongside Route 53 and Northwest Freeway, the renderings launched present the positioning cut up into two distinct districts for the stadium itself, and a "mixed-use district."

Whereas the renderings present little element concerning the stadium, they do present an open sq. subsequent to a revamped Metra Arlington Park Station.

This part of the positioning, which is at the moment the car parking zone for the Arlington Worldwide Racecourse, is called Station Sq. and seems to type a part of a wider leisure district.

Precisely what companies would inhabit this space is unknown.

Nevertheless, in September the Bears mentioned "the long-term mission imaginative and prescient for your complete property is an ongoing work-in-progress, however might embrace: eating places, workplace area, resort, health heart, new parks and open areas, and different enhancements for the group to get pleasure from."

Elsewhere, water options closely on this proposed web site structure, surrounding the "mixed-use district" and offering an outlook for waterside leisure venues.

'STADIUM DISTRICT'

A big inexperienced promenade leads up from the middle of the district towards the stadium.

This might be accessed by two bridges connecting the 2 districts, with parking for the positioning positioned on the opposite aspect of the stadium.

The stadium could also be little greater than a shaded space within the renderings, however what is thought is that ought to the Bears resolve to maneuver to Arlington Heights, their objective is to have a "best-in-class enclosed stadium, offering Chicagoland with a brand new dwelling worthy of internet hosting world occasions such because the Tremendous Bowl, Faculty Soccer Playoffs, and Ultimate 4," as per their assertion from September.

All through each of the Bears' statements from September and this month, they reiterated that a transfer to Arlington Heights just isn't a certainty.

CHICAGO FIGHTS BACK

The truth is, final month the Metropolis of Chicago and Landmark Renovations revealed renderings of proposed upgrades to the Bears' current stadium, Soldier Subject.

The video confirmed a very redesigned stadium, encapsulated in a glass dome to stave off the infamous wind from Lake Michigan beside.

The brand new design encompasses a meals corridor, a brand new station with entry to a number of types of public transport, leisure services, a Veterans Memorial, seating across the well-known pillars, in addition to new govt bins and a top-level bar overlooking the sphere.

This entire redesign of their long-term dwelling seemed to be a last-ditch try by town to maintain the franchise downtown.

SOLDIER FIELD 3.0

Ought to the Bears aspect with the Metropolis and stay at Soldier Subject, it will mark the second time within the final 20 years that the venue has been overhauled.

Barring the outside facade, together with the pillars, Soldier Subject was raised to the bottom and rebuilt between 2002-03.

Approximate prices for both the Arlington Heights improvement or the redevelopment of Soldier Subject haven't but been revealed.

FOLLOWING THE TREND

Both approach, the Bears would turn into the sixth NFL franchise to maneuver to a domed facility since 2016.

They might be part of the Tennessee Titans in including to this listing after they too launched renderings of a probably lined stadium again in October.

The Buffalo Payments even have plans in place for a possible $1.4billion stadium, nevertheless, the renderings present that it will stay open to the weather.

A green promenade would lead fans from the center of the "mixed-use district" to the stadium
A inexperienced promenade would lead followers from the middle of the "mixed-use district" to the stadiumCredit score: Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears

The City's proposed redesign of Soldier Field would also see them play indoors
The Metropolis's proposed redesign of Soldier Subject would additionally see them play indoorsCredit score: Landmark Improvement

The Arlington Heights site is 326 acres
The Arlington Heights web site is 326 acresCredit score: Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears

Soldier Field was originally constructed in between 1922-24
Soldier Subject was initially constructed in between 1922-24Credit score: Getty

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post