Bears Plan to Put Up the Money

A public domed facility funded in part by $2 billion of private cash south of Soldier Field is proposed by the Bears, according to a Tribune report.

After all the positioning, the Bears have plans to stay on the lakefront near Soldier Field.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Bears president Kevin Warren plans to pursue a new publicly owned domed stadium at the south parking lot location of Soldier Field, funded in part with $2 billion of private money.

So much for two years worth of planning in the northwest suburbs at the Arlington International Racecourse site. Or at least it would seem that way.

“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region—boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue,” Warren said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”

The indoor facility would allow Chicago to host the Super Bowl, Final Four and year-round events.

The plan would include saving Soldier Field's colonnade to honor veterans.

This doesn't necessarily mean total abandonment of the Arlington Heights property for a stadium on the lakefront at this point because this is only a Bears proposal. The Bears own Arlington International Racecourse property after paying $197 million for it.

The reason the Arlington Heights plan can't be ruled out yet is the possible opposition to another stadium near Soldier Field. They'll face possible problems with this just site, though not quite like those that led them here with taxes from northwest suburban school districts.

Friends of the Park filed suit and won in an effort to stop George Lucas from building a museum south of Soldier Field and a city ordinance prohibiting private development on the lakefront played a role in this. However, this would be a only partly funded privately.

The Tribune said the team will meet soon with Friends of the Park to share the plans.

Not mentioned by the Tribune are specifics of the money and whether funding from Illinois Sports Facilities Authority would be used.

The White Sox have sought to build a stadium just south of the loop near the Chicago River in an area known as "The 78" and the possibility of using funds from the authority in a combined effort with the Bears has been suggested. The Bears have had conversations with the White Sox about this joint funding effort for two stadiums, according to the report.

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