Construction on the heavily disputed lakefront Chicago Bears domed stadium is set to move forward. This follows an official announcement from the team indicating they will be providing US$2 billion in private funding. Governor JB Pritzker supported this announcement for the publicly owned domed stadium which will also include the construction of park space on the lakefront. Furthermore, the project will include the demolition of Solider Field leaving the famous colonnades which honor veterans. The domed stadium will be put up south of where Solider Field currently sits.
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Previous project proposals
The Bears’ financial commitment to building a domed lakefront stadium marks a major departure from previous plans. The team had initially planned to build a stadium in the northwest suburb of Arlington Heights. The 326-acre Arlington Park property the Bears was purchased for US$192.7 million. That plan has hit roadblocks over property valuation debates. This is seemingly the reason the Bears shifted their focus elsewhere, at least for now. While $2 billion from the Bears toward a lakefront stadium is a big chunk of private money, Pritzker said Wednesday he hasn’t heard anything regarding the state’s possible involvement in such a project.
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“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region. It will boost the economy, create jobs, facilitate mega events and generating millions in tax revenue,” Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren continued. “We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.” The added open space would include plazas, paths, landscaped areas, lakefront access and more. That effort, creating more public spaces in the redevelopment of the area, seems to be aimed at placating Friends of the Parks.
Opposition for the Chicago bears domed stadium
“The fact that our lakefront has been protected from development is what makes it attractive to development. Without these protections we likely would not be discussing a new stadium on the lakefront as it would already be built up and privatized,” the group’s statement read. The group has suggested the possibility of exploring other city locations “more suitable for development.”
The Michie Stadium preservation project
Elsewhere, the Michie Stadium Preservation project in New York has been awarded to Turner Construction. The US$135 million contract will involve the reconstruction and modernization of the 38,000-seat stadium which is home to the Army Black Knights. The total cost for the project is US$170 million. The new east stands will provide 360-degree sights of the field and the surrounding Hudson Valley. The renovation process will allow for Football and Lacrosse teams will be able to continue playing in the stadium while construction is going on. The project will break ground in April 2024 with the demolition of the existing east stands. It will be completed in time for the 2026 football season.
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