A proposal for the construction of a new Arlington Heights domed stadium in Chicago, Illinois, has been unveiled. The proposal was unveiled by the Chicago Bears, a member team of the National Football League (NFL).
The new Arlington Heights domed stadium in Chicago has an integrated entertainment zone that is centrally located around the venue. The project reportedly could rank among the largest development projects in Illinois history.
The NFL franchise is now under contract to buy the 326-acre Arlington Park racetrack property in Arlington Heights, Illinois. This is in a bid to replace its longtime lakefront home of Soldier Field in Chicago. Soldier Field’s team lease expires in 2033.
Benefits of the new Arlington Heights domed stadium project
The development would, according to the team’s estimates, have a $9.4 billion economic impact on the Chicagoland area. It would as a result support more than 48,000 employees and generate $3.9 billion in labor income.
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According to the team’s announcement, if the Bears decide to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, the plan would also entail the creation of a transit-oriented, mixed-use zone. This zone may house restaurants, offices, a hotel, and other facilities.
Additionally, the team revealed that it will not look for public assistance for the construction of the stadium’s structure. Instead, it leaves open the prospect of collaborating with governments to help with the remaining construction.
Design Overview
In the announcement, renderings from the architecture company Hart Howerton are included. According to the design the future stadium is to be built on the northwest corner of the land and a future mixed-use neighborhood is to be built on the southeast side. Because of the stadium’s enclosure, the team claims it would be able to hold events like the Super Bowl and collegiate sporting competitions.
Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago, has stated that she favors keeping the Bears at Soldier Field. She suggested making changes to the stadium in July, including perhaps adding a dome. When compared to building a new stadium, Lightfoot calculated the project might save the Bears at least $1.5 billion and cost between $900 million and $2.2 billion.
