Arlington ish going to happen, probably an ownership stake too

[thenewguy]

There will never be a casino at Arlington that ship has sailed . It would more than likely be a sportsbook

This is correct and the reason the property is for sale. Churchill downs was being pressured to build a casino onsite to retain their racing and betting licenses. Since they have a stake in nearby Rivers, they weren't willing to. I do think a sportsbook onsite for a new stadium would be in play.

 

[Nelly]

The Bears playing in Arlington Heights is one less reason to ever have to go into the city again, which is fine by me.

 

[BNB]

why is moving to Arlington so popular with fans in Chi? Just cause taxes or whatever?

I think taxes is a big one. If the last renovation cost the public over 400 million, I'd imagine a brand new stadium that would cost at least 1 billion would cost Chicagoans much more.

Plus, majority of the people that attend Bears games don't even live in the city, so I'm sure they'd much rather commute to Arlington Heights. Even those who technically live in Chicago (Edison Park, Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, etc.) still have to deal with tons of traffic when driving to Soldiers Field.. They'd probably have an easier time getting to Alrington Heights.

 

[dbldrew]

why is moving to Arlington so popular with fans in Chi? Just cause taxes or whatever?

not sure there is any tax issues, isnt Arlington still cook county?
But trying to go to a bears game in the city from the burbs is a nightmare. Arlington has the space for parking, there is a metra stop right at the park, its by multiple highways, there would be room for tailgating. The stadium would be bigger.

Its embarrassing that the charter franchise is such a small stadium..

 

[JoJoBoxer]

why is moving to Arlington so popular with fans in Chi? Just cause taxes or whatever?

I think it is to get rid of that one fan from Indiana who said he was going to become a Colts fan if the Bears moved to Arlington Heights.

We have been trying to get rid of him for years.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

I love the downtown location and so does everyone else for the most part I think‐ but they want more seats, and legal gaming in the stadium.

Bears are now strong arming the city and its fun to watch. Lots of business lost downtown in the fall and winter if they aren't there

What I want to know if there will be knee-capping in the stadium if someone can't pay up. That would bring a little more excitement to the stadium experience.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

Bears Net Value would go through the roof (pun intended) if they built a shine new modern stadium, plain and simple.

We see it everywhere across the country. Malls are being torn down and replaced with other shopping centers. I think the Bears are now in a position to say, we want a new stadium, or we are moving on.

That lease only benefits the Bears, because it will take a few years to develop and build the new location, and when it is ready they will pay what they need to get out of the lease.

A good attorney team for the Bears will likely find some shortcomings of Soldier Field, and the Park Services will simply be out matched in court, resulting in a reduction of the Lease or a complete revocation.

At 8 million per year (some site came up with that figure), the Bears might just pay the remaining 5 years or so, once the Stadium is built.

I still think that the Bears are sold to someone who will then build the stadium.

 

[Leomaz]

I think taxes is a big one. If the last renovation cost the public over 400 million, I'd imagine a brand new stadium that would cost at least 1 billion would cost Chicagoans much more.

Plus, majority of the people that attend Bears games don't even live in the city, so I'm sure they'd much rather commute to Arlington Heights. Even those who technically live in Chicago (Edison Park, Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, etc.) still have to deal with tons of traffic when driving to Soldiers Field.. They'd probably have an easier time getting to Alrington Heights.

I would not rather not commute to Arlington Heights and I know a bunch more STH’s that would not either. Getting to and from soldier field for a game is a breeze.

 

[Montucky]

The city is not immune to these types of blunders and the current leadership is so inept I don't think they even recognize that this might be more than just an idle threat. Of course it would be just as disastrous for the Bears as it would be for the city, but that's not gonna stop them either. These are two institutions that are run like a kamikaze mission. They push all their chips in for the short term then wonder why everything is always so fucked up.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

I think taxes is a big one. If the last renovation cost the public over 400 million, I'd imagine a brand new stadium that would cost at least 1 billion would cost Chicagoans much more.

Plus, majority of the people that attend Bears games don't even live in the city, so I'm sure they'd much rather commute to Arlington Heights. Even those who technically live in Chicago (Edison Park, Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, etc.) still have to deal with tons of traffic when driving to Soldiers Field.. They'd probably have an easier time getting to Alrington Heights.

SoFi Stadium cost 5.5 billion. Now, I don't think the Bears go that crazy, but Allegiant Stadium was ($1.9B) so if they do it, I imagine total cost would be between $2B-$3B.

 

[dbldrew]

The city is not immune to these types of blunders and the current leadership is so inept I don't think they even recognize that this might be more than just an idle threat. Of course it would be just as disastrous for the Bears as it would be for the city, but that's not gonna stop them either. These are two institutions that are run like a kamikaze mission. They push all their chips in for the short term then wonder why everything is always so fucked up.

how would this be disastrous for the Bears?

 

[Montucky]

how would this be disastrous for the Bears?

Trading in a historically significant location (sadly no longer an historically significant building, but even that is fixable with the right amount of willpower) located on the lakefront of one of America's best looking cities that is also centrally located with dozens of rail lines and four interstates all converging on it for Arlington Heights is perhaps the dumbest fucking idea I have ever heard from the Bears organization.

 

[dbldrew]

Trading in a historically significant location (sadly no longer an historically significant building, but even that is fixable with the right amount of willpower) located on the lakefront of one of America's best looking cities that is also centrally located with dozens of rail lines and four interstates all converging on it for Arlington Heights is perhaps the dumbest fucking idea I have ever heard from the Bears organization.

so they should move back to Decatur IL to maintain that "Historical" significance? or maybe play at Wrigley field again?
Change happens.. But the Bears building a modern stadium that can house 80k+ that could have a retractile roof to house the Superbowl.. all with ease of access and actual parking? yeah thats the opposite of disastrous for the Bears org

 

[Calabis]

Bigger better stadium?

And one with a field, that will finally be better than high schools in my city lmao

 

[Montucky]

so they should move back to Decatur IL to maintain that "Historical" significance? or maybe play at Wrigley field again?
Change happens.. But the Bears building a modern stadium that can house 80k+ that could have a retractile roof to house the Superbowl.. all with ease of access and actual parking? yeah thats the opposite of disastrous for the Bears org

One Super Bowl every twenty-five or so years? And I could not care less about parking at all. Take the damn train.

I'm pro tearing down the mistake on the lake and replacing it with something better. But locating that new stadium in the sticks is just dumb as hell.

 

[Montucky]

And one with a field, that will finally be better than high schools in my city lmao

They did fix this, to their credit.

 

[dbldrew]

One Super Bowl every twenty-five or so years? And I could not care less about parking at all. Take the damn train.

I'm pro tearing down the mistake on the lake and replacing it with somebody better. But locating that new stadium in the sticks is just dumb as hell.

great news there is a train stop right at the front door in Arlington.. problem solved for you

 

[Montucky]

great news there is a train stop right at the front door in Arlington.. problem solved for you

Tell me which is more centrally located, downtown Chicago or Arlington Heights?

 

[dbldrew]

View attachment 12389

Tell me which is more centrally located, downtown Chicago or Arlington Heights?

dont care about centrally located if it takes hours to get to in the city. there is a reason that other teams have moved the stadiums outside their city as well. Major city's are a congested fucking nightmare.

 

[MikeDitkaPolishSausage]

They did fix this, to their credit.

Did they though? Opposing players still complain about it.