Wrigley Renovation Thread

[Guest]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120425/BLOGS02/120429892/heres-the-financial-deal-cubs-want-to-rebuild-wrigley

 

On the table is a $500 million or so plan — $300 million to reconstruct the nearly century-old Wrigley and $200 million for the "Triangle" parking, entertainment and multiuse structure off the west wall of the ballpark.

 

The family and/or team would pay for the Triangle building. That means $300 million is needed for the ballpark proper.

 

Half would come from the team, presumably in increased revenue from more signage inside Wrigley and retail and other entertainment in what amounts to a game-day carnival on Waveland Avenue on Wrigley's north side and Sheffield Avenue to the east.

 

And half would come from $150 million or so in bonds to be retired with increased revenue from the existing city and Cook County amusement taxes on ticket sales. Specifically, debt service would get the first 6 percent in growth above a base level of around $15 million a year now.

 

But it's a little more complicated than that.

 

The team also wants a 50 percent cut of any increase in amusement tax revenue growth above 6 percent. And unlike the bonds, which would be retired in 30 or 35 years, that would be forever.

That sounds like a workable compromise can be reached.

[J.R.]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-tunney-wrigley-field-20120509,0,3574685.story

 

Tunney's email staked out his position on Wrigley improvements, including a host of conditions for any deal, including a 10-year extension of the city ordinance limiting night games and concerts at Wrigley, and a limit on Sheffield and Waveland Avenue closings.

 

The alderman also wants a dedicated police detail for Wrigley events, "especially postgame coverage," and sidewalk, lighting and landscape improvements along Sheffield. Both could be part of any funding package, he said.

 

...

 

Tunney also wrote in his email that the deal should include a commitment to refurbish the CTA Sheridan Red Line "L" station, an updated plan for the triangle building and plaza that would include space for "farmers markets and ice skating," and a long-term agreement on signage between the Cubs and surrounding rooftop businesses.

I am puzzled as to why the Sheridan stop is in play.

[UMFan83]

Probably just because Cubs fans do get off on that stop to get to Wrigley. Not nearly as many, but I'm pretty sure they promote that as a Wrigley stop so there isn't so much overflow at the Addison stop.

 

Anyways, I'm sure Tom and Crane took this as a big strike against their vision. The Cubs would love more control over how many night/weekend night games they have, and Tunney seems like he won't budge at all. Plus the Cubs want to use Sheffield as a pre and post game gathering spot and it looks like Tunney wants to limit that. That could mean limit to night games, that could mean limit to weekend games or that could be limited to a select few games. The Cubs want it for all games.

 

Tunney should stick it up his ass. The Cubs are the main reason why his ward is half as prosperous as it is. He's just being a little bitch about things because he can.

[pitchcs]

I'm a home owner very close to the stadium and would LOVE for there to be more night games. Closing off Sheffield like at Fenway? Not so much.

 

But in the article I read the other day he was very defensive of the rooftop owners. I mean, who the hell cares about the rooftop owners? The Cubs should be entitled to do whatever they want regarding the rooftops/advertising in front of them IMO.

[Sammy Sofa]

Probably just because Cubs fans do get off on that stop to get to Wrigley. Not nearly as many, but I'm pretty sure they promote that as a Wrigley stop so there isn't so much overflow at the Addison stop.

 

The Purple Line express actually makes an extra stop there when there are evening games at Wrigley for that exact reason.

 

Anyways, I'm sure Tom and Crane took this as a big strike against their vision. The Cubs would love more control over how many night/weekend night games they have, and Tunney seems like he won't budge at all. Plus the Cubs want to use Sheffield as a pre and post game gathering spot and it looks like Tunney wants to limit that. That could mean limit to night games, that could mean limit to weekend games or that could be limited to a select few games. The Cubs want it for all games.

 

Tunney should stick it up his ass. The Cubs are the main reason why his ward is half as prosperous as it is. He's just being a little bitch about things because he can.

 

Pretty much. I can't stand Wrigleyville.

[manbearcub]

So does Tunney have any actual say in things or can the Cubs just tell him to go [expletive] himself, like Im hoping.

[The R-Train]

I'm a home owner very close to the stadium and would LOVE for there to be more night games. Closing off Sheffield like at Fenway? Not so much.

 

But in the article I read the other day he was very defensive of the rooftop owners. I mean, who the hell cares about the rooftop owners? The Cubs should be entitled to do whatever they want regarding the rooftops/advertising in front of them IMO.

Isn't Sheffield already closed off from like 2 hours before the game to an hour after the game or something like that?

[dfnowak]

So does Tunney have any actual say in things or can the Cubs just tell him to go [expletive] himself, like Im hoping.

I think Rahm might tell him to go [expletive] himself.

 

Its really too bad that Ricketts screwed up by stressing the importance of staying at Wrigley, thus eliminating the threat to move

Edited May 10, 2012 by dfnowak

[dfnowak]

Tunney should stick it up his ass. The Cubs are the main reason why his ward is half as prosperous as it is. He's just being a little bitch about things because he can.

Couldn't agree more

[jersey cubs fan]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/listen-tom-ricketts-on-the-mully-and-hanley-show/

 

Haugh tweeted a link to a radio interview with Ricketts, they talk about stadium stuff

[KingCubsFan]

I'm a home owner very close to the stadium and would LOVE for there to be more night games. Closing off Sheffield like at Fenway? Not so much.

 

But in the article I read the other day he was very defensive of the rooftop owners. I mean, who the hell cares about the rooftop owners? The Cubs should be entitled to do whatever they want regarding the rooftops/advertising in front of them IMO.

Isn't Sheffield already closed off from like 2 hours before the game to an hour after the game or something like that?

I think at Fenway the street is closed off to the general public and only ticketholders can get in. Sheffield is just closed for cars.

[Guest]

Brett with a writeup on that interview and finally a somewhat positive quote from Rahm.

 

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/05/25/obsessive-wrigley-renovation-watch-tom-ricketts-and-rahm-emanuel-seem-to-believe-a-deal-will-still-get-done/

 

First, from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who finally said something positive about the process since last week’s Joe Ricketts/President Obama/Proposed Attack Ad flap. The Mayor indicated to the Sun-Times that the controversy will not sabotage the funding process, and he feels like “the point has been made.” He said the two sides haven’t yet spoken, but that they will at “the appropriate time.”

[Guest]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/08/02/obsessive-wrigley-renovation-watch-mayor-still-on-board-with-some-public-assistance/

 

A new report, however, indicates that talks are actually ongoing behind the scenes, and things are looking good. From NBC Chicago:

The plan to not only rebuild the Cubs’ historical ballpark but an entertainment complex across the street has hit huge roadblocks. Still, there are quiet negotiations going on behind the scenes, NBC Chicago has learned.

 

“We’re in at least weekly communication with the Cubs and the Ricketts family,” Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said Wednesday.

 

Tunney, who was originally lukewarm to the $500 million project, has turned more supportive.

 

“Most stadiums have some component of public financing,” he explained. “Whether they’ve been good investments, you’d have to look at them individually.”

 

He added that mayor Rahm Emanuel “has pretty much put a lid” on what any public financing numbers would be: roughly $125 million in increment financing on amusement tax.

 

The Ricketts family is reportedly willing to invest $200 million, and there is a possibility the state could throw in $150 million in bonds.

 

 

Link to the NBC Chicago report - http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-cubs-wrigley-field-tunney-renovation-164679196.html

[Guest]

More revenue might come from not just one, but two Jumbotron-like screens to be placed in perhaps left and right field. That has rooftop owners nervous their view will be blocked.

"I don’t there’s too many teams in baseball that continue to draw no matter what happens and I think they’re fortunate that way and they have to look for the neighborhood for that," a representative of many of the rooftop owners, Beth Murphy, said Wednesday at City Hall.

So if -- and it’s still a big if -- the Cubs get the financing it needs, then how long will it take?

Tunney believes it might be best to shut down Wrigley for a year to 18 months.

"To be honest with you, whatever is the most economical, and that might mean the interruption," he said, adding that the relatively short interruption would make more sense than renovating over a four or five year period.

 

A little more from the NBC link.

 

I really can't wait for this thing to go official and be announced so we can look at the renderings. I'm excited.

[Schwarber Fan]

Which season would the Cubs have to play away from Wrigley?

[Guest]

Which season would the Cubs have to take Wrigley off?

 

Not sure. A month or two ago, I read that the Cubs wanted to break ground at the end of this season and do it in phases over the course of 3-4 offseasons. If they do it in one year, it'd be interesting if they could get that all figured out by next season.

[Banedon]

Which season would the Cubs have to take Wrigley off?

 

Not sure. A month or two ago, I read that the Cubs wanted to break ground at the end of this season and do it in phases over the course of 3-4 offseasons. If they do it in one year, it'd be interesting if they could get that all figured out by next season.

 

If they do it in one year, does that probably mean sharing US Cellular?

[Guest]

Which season would the Cubs have to take Wrigley off?

 

Not sure. A month or two ago, I read that the Cubs wanted to break ground at the end of this season and do it in phases over the course of 3-4 offseasons. If they do it in one year, it'd be interesting if they could get that all figured out by next season.

 

If they do it in one year, does that probably mean sharing US Cellular?

 

You would think so. I can't imagine them going to Miller Park.

[Theo]

I would really love for the rooftop owners to get screwed over.....

 

"I don’t there’s too many teams in baseball that continue to draw no matter what happens and I think they’re fortunate that way and they have to look for the neighborhood for that," a representative of many of the rooftop owners, Beth Murphy, said Wednesday at City Hall.

 

Give me a [expletive] break.....

[erik316wttn]

I would really love for the rooftop owners to get screwed over.....

 

"I don’t there’s too many teams in baseball that continue to draw no matter what happens and I think they’re fortunate that way and they have to look for the neighborhood for that," a representative of many of the rooftop owners, Beth Murphy, said Wednesday at City Hall.

 

Give me a [expletive] break.....

 

Maybe the spite fence can be erected again.

 

Also, I think the Cubs split between US Cellular and Miller Park. Logistically, I just can't see it working out to US Cellular hosting 162 home games.

[Theo]

162 games at the Cell could easily be done logistically.

[SouthSideRyan]

Which season would the Cubs have to take Wrigley off?

 

Not sure. A month or two ago, I read that the Cubs wanted to break ground at the end of this season and do it in phases over the course of 3-4 offseasons. If they do it in one year, it'd be interesting if they could get that all figured out by next season.

 

I'd be shocked if they played an entire season away from Wrigley, they'd get fucked on revenue.

[Guest]

Unless I'm messing up my sorting and matching in excel, I only count two weekend series(both in August, strangely enough) where both the Cubs and Sox have home games. If that's the case, then it wouldn't be a problem at all to work around 6 games.

[Garwilly]

Unless I'm messing up my sorting and matching in excel, I only count two weekend series(both in August, strangely enough) where both the Cubs and Sox have home games. If that's the case, then it wouldn't be a problem at all to work around 6 games.

 

Some seasons have even fewer, you're right scheduling isn't really a big a deal.

[Theo]

And I'm sure it could be worked out that many of the Wrigley Stadium staff could do the Cubs games at the Cell so they were not without employmnet.