All Wrigley Field renovation thread

[brett05]

Just to be sure, I mapped that location in Rosemont. It cannot be used for baseball, there's a runway much too close constantly in use.

Didn't old Shea have that?

 

[Rice Cube]

Just to be sure, I mapped that location in Rosemont. It cannot be used for baseball, there's a runway much too close constantly in use.

Ground rule double if it hits a plane.

 

[85Bears4life]

Ground rule double if it hits a plane.

Put a target on a plane, hit it, and Double the cubs runs

 

[Sunbiz1]

Didn't old Shea have that?

If they did, doubt it was as close as this runway at O'Hare is. The flight path goes directly over the south end of that *free property. I used to live near there, when the wind blows from the north/east that runway is used for take-offs in 2 minute intervals.

 

[MotorCityCub]

If the Cubs think they can move out of Wrigley and still sellout every game I think they are in for a surprise. A good number of fans, according to ushers I've talked to in the last few years, are out-of-town tourists there for the park experience. If the Cubs were to leave Wrigley those tourists aren't going to go to the new stadium in the suburbs to see a game. What they're going to be left with is the local Cubs fans. When teams are out of the playoff race before August they don't sell many tickets.

 

[nickofypres]

Didn't old Shea have that?

Yep, and it was part of Shea's charm.

 

[nwfisch]

If the Cubs think they can move out of Wrigley and still sellout every game I think they are in for a surprise. A good number of fans, according to ushers I've talked to in the last few years, are out-of-town tourists there for the park experience. If the Cubs were to leave Wrigley those tourists aren't going to go to the new stadium in the suburbs to see a game. What they're going to be left with is the local Cubs fans. When teams are out of the playoff race before August they don't sell many tickets.

And you don't think people want to see a new park?

And hopefully "Theoism" is building a team that can draw people based on talent and results, and not beer, bleachers, and Wrigleyville.

 

[MotorCityCub]

And you don't think people want to see a new park?

And hopefully "Theoism" is building a team that can draw people based on talent and results, and not beer, bleachers, and Wrigleyville.

The allure of a new park will get a team through a couple months of the season, but it won't carry for 81 games. I've seen it happen in different stadiums over the last decade. I found an attendance matrix for each team and I'll post some numbers tomorrow, but i don't think the Cubs can draw 40k per game in the suburbs for all 81 games like they now do at Wrigley.

Now if they're competing for a division title of course they'll hit those figures, but 20 games under on August 1st and attendance will be worse than it is at Wrigley.

 

[85Bears4life]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-wrigley-field-scoreboard-0329-20130329,0,4959884.story?dssReturn

Jumbo-size hitch in Wrigley talks
Sources: Cubs want giant video screen inside ballpark

A key sticking point in the negotiations over the rehab of Wrigley Field is whether to allow the Cubs to erect a giant video screen within the Friendly Confines, with the team seeking a 6,000-square-foot display that would be about triple the size of the iconic center-field scoreboard, sources say.

According to the sources, who are familiar with detailed proposals being discussed during the now-daily talks, the debate is focused more on the size and placement of a Jumbotron-like screen than on whether it would be allowed at all — with the Ricketts family that owns the Cubs rejecting anything smaller than 6,000 square feet.

"We are exploring adding a video board at Wrigley Field as part of opportunities to increase revenues for the baseball club," said Cubs spokesman Julian Green. "One of the points at issue is the size."

Sources say the video screen's location also is a significant issue. Since the Cubs have not suggested moving the center-field scoreboard, which is protected under Wrigley's designation as a Chicago landmark, a video screen would have to be placed behind the bleachers in either right or left field. A video screen as large as the Cubs are proposing could potentially block views from rooftop businesses that line the stadium's outfield.

Rooftop business owners have said any new billboards or video screens that obstruct their views would violate a 20-year contract they signed with the team in 2004, and some have threatened to sue the Cubs.

The current scoreboard, which was built at Wrigley Field in the late 1930s, is about 2,025 square feet, according to a city landmarks report. That would be dwarfed by the 6,000-square-foot video screen envisioned by the Cubs. According to sources, city officials have suggested a video screen of about half that size, but the Cubs have said no. The Cubs' Green declined to get into specifics about the talks involving the video screen.

The scoreboard sought by the Cubs would not be the biggest in the majors by far. The Seattle Mariners recently installed one measuring 11,425 square feet.

A handful of other issues remain to be resolved in the Wrigley negotiations, including the number of Cubs night games, before the owners are willing to begin a $300 million restoration of the ballpark, which will turn 100 years old next year.

The Ricketts family has been aggressively pursuing a Wrigley Field renovation since buying the team and ballpark in 2009 in a deal valued at $845 million. (Tribune Co., parent of the Chicago Tribune, owns 5 percent of the team.)

After striking out with their bid for tax dollars to help pay for the improvements, the Rickettses announced in January that they would pay for the renovation if the city of Chicago would ease restrictions on signage and night games imposed by the landmark status and other city ordinances.

The family has said new revenues from a giant video screen, advertising signs and more night games would help it finance improvements to the ballpark and the team. The family has sweetened its offer by proposing to build a hotel on property it owns across Clark Street from Wrigley Field, a development Lakeview residents have sought for the neighborhood.

But rooftop owners oppose the team's plea for more signage inside the stadium and have offered to let the team sell signage on their buildings. Ald. Tom Tunney, whose 44th Ward includes Wrigley Field, would like to see rooftop business owners and the team reach a lasting business deal.

Before approving more night games and any zoning changes, Tunney also would like the team to address residents' concern over traffic, parking and public safety. Green declined to say how many more home night games the Cubs want above the current 30, other than to say other teams play an average of 54 games a year. "We'd like to increase the number of night games," he said. "We'd like to do it within reason, striking a balance with the community."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday he's hopeful the Cubs and other Wrigleyville interests will realize that there are "enough wins there for everybody" to make a deal. As he has said repeatedly over the past several months, the mayor insisted that he is not trying to force the team, Tunney and rooftop owners to come to an accord. And Emanuel acknowledged the deal isn't done just days before the April 1 deadline set by Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

"We're not there yet, obviously, because you're right, April 1 is coming, but I think there's enough wins there for everybody to declare a victory and have enough to go forward," Emanuel said at a news conference unrelated to Wrigley. "And we're actively, in my view, trying to make sure that both parties, or all parties rather, see what's in front of them and the potential of how far they've all come to reach what I think is a good agreement across the board."

Emanuel said he isn't worried the Cubs might accept a recent offer of free land from Rosemont to build a ballpark in that northwest suburb, pointing out the Ricketts family is proposing a hotel near the ballpark. "They just announced they're going to build a hotel. … If (Rosemont) was a serious thing, they wouldn't be at the table negotiating," Emanuel said.

Tunney declined to comment on talks, but in a Thursday email to residents he said; "We cannot rush into this agreement without a plan and community process as this development will have an impact on the Lakeview community for years to come."

At a closed-door community meeting Wednesday night, Cubs officials revealed more details about the hotel the Ricketts family would like to develop. The family is proposing a seven-story structure, with four floors devoted to the hotel, Green confirmed. The first floor would house retail, and two other floors would be leased to a health club. The family has an agreement with Chicago Athletic Clubs to open a 40,000-square-foot facility.

Green said team officials also offered more specifics on an office building the family would like to construct on a triangle-shaped property on the west side of the stadium. The six-story building would be about 125,000 square feet and house team offices, retail and a conference center. The team also proposed creating an outdoor, interactive children's play area on the second floor.

One of the most distinctive features of the office building would be a clock tower, Green said.

The renderings shown Wednesday night of the hotel, office building and plaza outside included advertising signs, sources said.

 

[Rice Cube]

Just thought I'd try to look at things from the rooftops' point of view:

http://worldseriesdreaming.com/2013/03/29/something-about-jumbotrons-and-rooftops/

That's a pretty huge screen being proposed.

 

[nwfisch]

Just thought I'd try to look at things from the rooftops' point of view:

http://worldseriesdreaming.com/2013/03/29/something-about-jumbotrons-and-rooftops/

That's a pretty huge screen being proposed.

Nice piece.

That said, the neighbors should know the Cubs make them and not the other way around.

The city of Chicago on the other hand though...:shrug:

 

[Sunbiz1]

Dejar de eliminar mierda en este hilo.

 

[daddies3angels]

I want a new park!!!!!!!

 

[85Bears4life]

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/kapman/cubs-city-rush-hammer-out-wrigley-deal

If the sides are unable to reach a common ground so that steel can be ordered and a construction plan put into place for work to begin at the end of the 2013 baseball season, the Ricketts are expected to begin the process of evaluating their options other than Wrigley Field.

Could this really be the beginning of the end for Wrigley?

 

[daddies3angels]

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/kapman/cubs-city-rush-hammer-out-wrigley-deal



Could this really be the beginning of the end for Wrigley?

ray:

 

[85Bears4life]

ray:

Curious, why do you want a new stadium.

If wrigley gets completely renovated it would be like a new park

 

[daddies3angels]

Curious, why do you want a new stadium.

If wrigley gets completely renovated it would be like a new park

In last 105 yrs Cubs have had new owners, front office, managers and players. There be 1 consistent and its the ballpark. Wrigley is the hardest place to build a team. First month and halve you need a speed team with wind blowing in. Next 2 months you need a power team with wind blowing out. Last month and halve and if they make playoffs you need speed team again with wind blowing in. I also dont think its fair that Chicago has right to say what owner can do to park. I think Ricketts should be able to get all the profits he can from stadium to help team win.

 

[Ari Bear]

Lights in the outfield would be nice.

 

[nwfisch]

I dont wanna see the cubs leave wrigley. be a sad day when they leave(if they leave).

yes, all the history hasn't been great, but baseball has 2 cathedrals left.

Wrigley field and Fenway park. 2 stadiums that have seen a hell of a lot more losing then they have winning. Fenway over the years has been taken care of with remodeling every so many years.Fans love both cause they are history, they are both still beautiful(at least from sitting the the seats anyways).

Wrigley field has not been taken care of. Last complete renovation of WF was in the 60's. Tom Ricketts wants to renovate wrigley in a manner where the Cubs can still play at Wrigley forever, but too many obstacles are in his way for him to do so.

If Ricketts and Chicago, and rooftop owners cant agree to a deal, then there will be only 1 cathedral left for baseball fans to enjoy as Wrigley would fade away into history.

Ricketts would go to rosemont, build a state of the art facility with all the amenities that the small confined space of Wrigley can't have, but for what reason...just to have a fancy new ballpark.

Yes, a new ballpark with jumbotrons with corporate signage and a corporate name on the stadium would bring money into the franchise, but he would have to put the money he makes into the team. He WOULD HAVE to put a winning product on the field to go with that new stadium.

Me personally would love to stay at Wrigley Field...Renovate that thing to no end, modernize it to the max. Bring in jumbotrons and corporate money into the cubs...

Stay at Clark & Addison. The Cubs CAN win in Wrigley..They honestly can. They need to renovate the park bring in the money necessary to sign elite free Agents to help win.

The current state the cubs and wrigley are in...they can't and won't spend the money necessary to bring a title to the northside..

renovate the Stadium...then watch money come in and then renovate the prodoct on the field.

Sadly, IMO the cubs will be leaving wrigley. I dont see the city rooftop owners and ricketts ever agreeing on all the things they need to.

I see a new Stadium for the Cubs in rosemont...A new start somewhere besides clark and addison...A new Beginning, a new era of Cubs baseball is coming.

If that happens then Wrigley will most certainly be torn down...the Ivy, Harry Caray, Santo, Banks, Williams, Ferguson, etc...All of the memories will be gone will the demolishing of Wrigley...

I dont wanna see it happen, but i'm afraid Wrigley fields time iscoming to a end here within the next decade, if not less than that

 

[nwfisch]

85 wrote that :highfive: