AddisonLakeview
Mike Lufrano, Cubs senior VP of commuity affairs and general
counsel, and Ald. Tom
Tunney (44th ward) during a community meeting earlier in April. (Photo/Josclynn
Brandon)
BREAKING UPDATE: Late Sunday night, the Cubs announced they
had struck a deal with the city to renovate Wrigley Field and
add a hotel across the street from the park on Clark Street. The $500 million
plan includes a 5,000-square-foot video board in left field, expanded
bleachers, 40 night games, street fairs, more 3:05 p.m. starts and several other updates. Check back for more
updates ...
By Angelica Robinson and Josclynn Brandon
Updated: Wednesday, April 15, 2013
Originally posted: March 27, 2013
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th ward), residents, and Chicago Cubs and city officials
gathered Tuesday night to discuss the Cubs and negotiations to renovate Wrigley
Field. The final score: a lot of talk but no deal expected for ballpark
renovations by the April 1 deadline the Cubs sought.
Lakeview residents raised concerns about the possibility of additional night
games, real estate development -- including a planned hotel across Wrigley to
be built by Cubs owner Tom Rickets -- from and concerts. The greatest concern
of attendees at the meeting was parking and traffic.
"My job is to make sure we have a comfort level in the community," Tunney said.
"We have a supportive mature community that isn't getting rattled."
Tunney said he will continue to listen to the residents’ feedback about the
quality of life in the neighborhood.
The Chicago Cubs opening day is April 8, and the Cubs and Wrigleyville rooftop
owners have yet to reach an
agreement on the team’s proposed $300 million renovation plan. The team
rejected a revenue-sharing advertising proposal in January from the rooftop
owners, who fear the Cubs could build a large jumbo scoreboard in right or left
field and block the view of the ballpark from the rooftops. Rooftop owners make
thousands of dollars from charging fans to sit up there.
The rooftop owners' plan would allow the Cubs to sell ads on digital video
scoreboards that would be constructed on the rooftops on Sheffield, Waveland
and Kenmore avenues.
“They've got to understand that this is a very successful community,” Tunney
said. “[We’re] working with them trying to make that stadium ready for the
World Series in the next hundred years."
With Monday's deadline quickly approaching, both the Cubs and
Wrigley rooftop owners are starting to feel the pressure. Mayor Rahm Emanuel
has told both sides to "work it out." However, Tunney said he's confident they
can still come to an agreement.
"There is mutual respect and I think we can get a deal done,” Tunney
said.
Julian Green, Cubs vice president of communications and community affairs, said
the team will work around the clock to deliver a plan good for everybody in the
community.
"I think anything is possible and the reason that we are trying to talk and
hammer this stuff out every day means that there is a possibility for success,”
he said.
Green also says the Cubs want a deal that’s best for the neighborhood.
“A deal that’s good for the city of Chicago,” he said. “A deal that brings jobs
and economic development to the city.
“We are trying to work out issues not only with rooftop owners, but business
owners and residents.”
One thing that officials made clear Tuesday night was that Wrigley Field will
remain in its current location. Reports last week said that Rosemont was trying
to woo the Cubs to the northwest suburbs with a sweetheart land deal for the
Ricketts to build a new staidum. Tunney says that’s untrue.
"We have utmost respect for investment at Clark and Addison for the last 100
years," Tunney said. "Why would anyone want to see a landmarked ballpark (and
a) great ballpark leave?
"The other side is that it's a very successful congested neighborhood, some of
the ideas belong in an area where they would have a little more latitude …
parking."
Much of the meeting, which drew about 100 people to a
police station meeting room near the ballpark, focused on neighborhood
complaints about parking, limos idling near homes and public urination by fans.
The team also discussed its plan for 30 night games this year -- including some
more Saturday night games -- and possible 3:05 p.m. starts for some Friday
afternoon games. The late Friday starts drew mixed reactions from the
public.
A closed-door meeting, which Tunney anticipates will further discuss the
renovations and the proposal of a hotel, plaza area, and remote parking, will
be held Wednesday night.
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