Week 1 - 49ers at Bears, Noon CT, FOX

[WrigleyField 22]

Kelechi Osemele, who is a Pro bowl guard in 2016 and 2017 coming off an injury where he tore tendons in both knees in 2020, worked out with the Bears last week and tweeted this today:

 

 

He's 33 and hasn't played in 2 years so I wouldn't get too excited but might be good depth to have, and/or another lottery ticket.

Randos on Twitter talking him up as a T. But looks like he only played 1 year there as a rookie. Unless maybe Jenkins is getting bumped back to RT this seems like a bad sign no matter what.

 

Either way, for all the Twitter bros talking up how Poles was gonna be different than Pace for the OL and they're just signing old dude immediately before week 1 again (and it worked last time! But still).

Edited September 5, 2022 by WrigleyField 22

[minnesotacubsfan]

eh, I see it as Poles grabbing the best fodder to see what he can get on the OL. Considering he completely ignored it up until more recently, I think its the right move. create competition with the best competition he can get. And lets face it, with the names he's gotten, how much worse are then then the ones he could have gotten in FA or draft? probably a wash

[UMFan83]

 

This was reported a few weeks ago but at least they are re-sodding it as soon as they can after last nights Rammstein concert. Wonder if Bermuda grass will make any difference

[Hairyducked Idiot]

What Poles is doing with the offensive line is what Theo Epstein was doing with Ian Stewart and Chris Volstad. He doesn't care enough about the roster yet to invest in it and he's just killing time trying to find random value while he waits.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

This was reported a few weeks ago but at least they are re-sodding it as soon as they can after last nights Rammstein concert. Wonder if Bermuda grass will make any difference

Warm weather grass in Chicago. Bold move.

 

I know they'll resod at some point regardless, but seems odd.

[UMFan83]

Bears release renderings for development within Arlington Park, but I'm guessing are leaving the stadium reveal for Thursday's meeting.

 

 

Edit: Also important

 

https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/1567214646070808578?s=20&t=E9jx_0Vd5T4G3BFghJAAUg

 

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

Edited September 6, 2022 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

 

This was reported a few weeks ago but at least they are re-sodding it as soon as they can after last nights Rammstein concert. Wonder if Bermuda grass will make any difference

Warm weather grass in Chicago. Bold move.

 

I know they'll resod at some point regardless, but seems odd.

 

Apparently this is a new strain created 3 years ago that is designed to withstand cold weather.

[UMFan83]

Entire Bears open letter:

 

‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎In September 2021, the Chicago Bears signed an agreement for the purpose of acquiring 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter there. We remain under contract to purchase the property, but there are conditions that must be met in order to be in a position to close. If we do close on the property, it does not guarantee we will develop it. While under contract with the seller of Arlington Park, we will not be discussing or exploring any other alternative stadium sites or opportunities, including renovations of Soldier Field. Much remains to be decided, but any decision will be made in the best interests of the Bears long-term future, our fans and the Chicagoland community.

 

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎If the team does proceed with the purchase of the Arlington Park property, and if the Bears organization then chooses to proceed with the development of the property, the project will be one of the largest development projects in Illinois state history. We envision a multi-purpose entertainment district anchored by a new, best-in-class enclosed stadium, providing Chicagoland with a new home worthy of hosting global events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, and Final Four.

 

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Make no mistake, this is much more than a stadium project. Any development of Arlington Park will propose to include a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district that will provide considerable economic benefits to Cook County, the surrounding region and State of Illinois. The long-term project vision for the entire property is an ongoing work-in-progress, but could include: restaurants, office space, hotel, fitness center, new parks and open spaces, and other improvements for the community to enjoy.

 

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Above all, the Bears organization is committed to ensuring the project serves Cook County, the Chicagoland community and people of Illinois 365 days a year. If the decision is made to develop Arlington Park, it would yield significant economic benefits commensurate with the scale of the project. Construction of the proposed project is projected to create more than 48,000 jobs, result in $9.4 billion in economic impact for Chicagoland, and provide $3.9 billion in labor income to workers across the region, while the completed project will create more than 9,750 long-term jobs, result in $1.4 billion in annual economic impact for Chicagoland and provide $601 million in annual labor income to workers across Chicagoland. We also anticipate that the development will generate $16 million in annual tax revenue in addition to property taxes for Arlington Heights, $9.8 million for Cook County, and $51.3 million for the State of Illinois.

 

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎While the Bears will seek no public funding for direct stadium structure construction, given the broad, long-term public benefits of this project, we look forward to partnering with the various governmental bodies to secure additional funding and assistance needed to support the feasibility of the remainder of the development.

 

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎We are taking serious steps to evaluate the unique opportunity presented to us. The Bears remain committed to Soldier Field and will honor the terms of its lease. While the prospect of a transit-oriented mixed-use and entertainment district anchored by a new enclosed stadium is exciting for the Bears and the entire state, there is much work to be done before we can close on the property, and then, whether we will develop it. We look forward to working with key partners and stakeholders across the Chicagoland community and State of Illinois in the months ahead.

 

Are they trying to remain noncommittal on building at Arlington Park because the deal is not closed yet and/or on the off chase that the city blows them away with an offer to remain in the city?

[WrigleyField 22]

 

This was reported a few weeks ago but at least they are re-sodding it as soon as they can after last nights Rammstein concert. Wonder if Bermuda grass will make any difference

Warm weather grass in Chicago. Bold move.

 

I know they'll resod at some point regardless, but seems odd.

 

Apparently this is a new strain created 3 years ago that is designed to withstand cold weather.

Yea I ended up going down the rabbit hole of this yesterday, but it seems like even these new strains top out around I-70 as a N/S divider.

 

I don't think it's uncommon for them to do one re-sodding, but the first three home games gets them through October. 4th home game is 11/6, with two in a row. So that grass either gets them through November (first 5 games) or is only for the first 3 games. But even if they got 5 games before transitioning to a cool weather grass they're re-sodding in mid November?

[WrigleyField 22]

Bears release renderings for development within Arlington Park, but I'm guessing are leaving the stadium reveal for Thursday's meeting.

 

 

Edit: Also important

 

https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/1567214646070808578?s=20&t=E9jx_0Vd5T4G3BFghJAAUg

 

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

Are all the small boxes along the south part supposed to be little strip malls or some sort of medium density housing?

Edited September 6, 2022 by WrigleyField 22

[UMFan83]

Warm weather grass in Chicago. Bold move.

 

I know they'll resod at some point regardless, but seems odd.

 

Apparently this is a new strain created 3 years ago that is designed to withstand cold weather.

Yea I ended up going down the rabbit hole of this yesterday, but it seems like even these new strains top out around I-70 as a N/S divider.

 

I don't think it's uncommon for them to do one re-sodding, but the first three home games gets them through October. 4th home game is 11/6, with two in a row. So that grass either gets them through November (first 5 games) or is only for the first 3 games. But even if they got 5 games before transitioning to a cool weather grass they're re-sodding in mid November?

 

Yeah interesting point. Their home schedule is very back heavy. So maybe they are experimenting with this during a lighter portion of the schedule and can resod and still have their normal grass for a majority of the schedule. Who knows

[Outshined_One]

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

 

Conceivably, they could include affordable housing as part of the development in order to qualify for various government housing grants through federal/state/local authorities (think HUD or IHDA).

 

More likely, they might offer to construct a new courthouse facility to entice Cook County and Illinois to chip in funding. The Rolling Meadows courthouse complex is directly across the street on Euclid and seriously needs an update. I could see the Bears offering to buy out that land and use it for office facilities and parking.

[WrigleyField 22]

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

 

Conceivably, they could include affordable housing as part of the development in order to qualify for various government housing grants through federal/state/local authorities (think HUD or IHDA).

 

More likely, they might offer to construct a new courthouse facility to entice Cook County and Illinois to chip in funding. The Rolling Meadows courthouse complex is directly across the street on Euclid and seriously needs an update. I could see the Bears offering to buy out that land and use it for office facilities and parking.

I've heard rumors Bears are buying up residential property at well above market rate too.

 

Anyways the original tweet got deleted, but the official statement is much more clear. They aren't asking for subsidies for the stadium costs. Everything else is where they'll look for public financing (whether direct, TIF, or simply infrastructure improvements). At the very least there is gonna be a lot of new road work to handle the extra traffic, so that will be a myriad of state and local financing there.

[minnesotacubsfan]

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

 

Conceivably, they could include affordable housing as part of the development in order to qualify for various government housing grants through federal/state/local authorities (think HUD or IHDA).

 

More likely, they might offer to construct a new courthouse facility to entice Cook County and Illinois to chip in funding. The Rolling Meadows courthouse complex is directly across the street on Euclid and seriously needs an update. I could see the Bears offering to buy out that land and use it for office facilities and parking.

 

I dont think they can do this

 

"additional funds" = additional investors, tax breaks, direct public funding would be my guess

[minnesotacubsfan]

Bears release renderings for development within Arlington Park, but I'm guessing are leaving the stadium reveal for Thursday's meeting.

 

 

Edit: Also important

 

https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/1567214646070808578?s=20&t=E9jx_0Vd5T4G3BFghJAAUg

 

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

Are all the small boxes along the south part supposed to be little strip malls or some sort of medium density housing?

 

more or less, row houses/townhomes

[WrigleyField 22]

What do they mean by partnering with 'various governmental bodies to secure additional funding'? Isn't that the same thing as public funding?

 

Conceivably, they could include affordable housing as part of the development in order to qualify for various government housing grants through federal/state/local authorities (think HUD or IHDA).

 

More likely, they might offer to construct a new courthouse facility to entice Cook County and Illinois to chip in funding. The Rolling Meadows courthouse complex is directly across the street on Euclid and seriously needs an update. I could see the Bears offering to buy out that land and use it for office facilities and parking.

 

I dont think they can do this

 

"additional funds" = additional investors, tax breaks, direct public funding would be my guess

There's probably some federal money to be found if they do something with the Metra station to make it a transit hub. Connect some Pace routes to underserved communities.

 

Can they get some federal money to extend I-290 for that final stretch along 53, and then widen it and add some lanes and new entrance/exit ramps along the way?

 

Outside of that, the onsite hotels/entertainment spots will probably level a tax to pay some additional village/County bonds for road/infrastructure enhancements.

 

I'm sure some TIF is in play, but the starting level which to set the incriment value off of may be a big negotiating point for the village.

[WrigleyField 22]

The comedic factor of replacing Ryan, Matt and Phillips with Ryan, Matt and Phillips makes this a must hire IMO.

 

[SpongeWorthy]

rammstein can sell enough tickets for a stadium tour in 2022?

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

Conceivably, they could include affordable housing as part of the development in order to qualify for various government housing grants through federal/state/local authorities (think HUD or IHDA).

 

More likely, they might offer to construct a new courthouse facility to entice Cook County and Illinois to chip in funding. The Rolling Meadows courthouse complex is directly across the street on Euclid and seriously needs an update. I could see the Bears offering to buy out that land and use it for office facilities and parking.

 

I dont think they can do this

 

"additional funds" = additional investors, tax breaks, direct public funding would be my guess

There's probably some federal money to be found if they do something with the Metra station to make it a transit hub. Connect some Pace routes to underserved communities.

 

Can they get some federal money to extend I-290 for that final stretch along 53, and then widen it and add some lanes and new entrance/exit ramps along the way?

 

Outside of that, the onsite hotels/entertainment spots will probably level a tax to pay some additional village/County bonds for road/infrastructure enhancements.

 

I'm sure some TIF is in play, but the starting level which to set the incriment value off of may be a big negotiating point for the village.

 

I'm sure they could get money for doing infrastructure, but the money would only pay for the infrastructure (ie train stops, freeway extensions, etc). the Bears themselves wont be able to direct those funds

[WrigleyField 22]

 

I dont think they can do this

 

"additional funds" = additional investors, tax breaks, direct public funding would be my guess

There's probably some federal money to be found if they do something with the Metra station to make it a transit hub. Connect some Pace routes to underserved communities.

 

Can they get some federal money to extend I-290 for that final stretch along 53, and then widen it and add some lanes and new entrance/exit ramps along the way?

 

Outside of that, the onsite hotels/entertainment spots will probably level a tax to pay some additional village/County bonds for road/infrastructure enhancements.

 

I'm sure some TIF is in play, but the starting level which to set the incriment value off of may be a big negotiating point for the village.

 

I'm sure they could get money for doing infrastructure, but the money would only pay for the infrastructure (ie train stops, freeway extensions, etc). the Bears themselves wont be able to direct those funds

Can't they direct it in the sense that design of those things will be built to accommodate the related needs they want for the site? So if a 290 extension is done to accommodate new underpass walk/roadways and specific exits, it will?

 

Or if they want their transit hub to have certain amenities it will?

[WrigleyField 22]

Also Twitter reminds me how pretty much no group understands economics way less than the pro parking lot bloc.

[UMFan83]

rammstein can sell enough tickets for a stadium tour in 2022?

 

That’s what I said. When I saw people posting about it on Twitter I assumed they were an opening act for someone else

[minnesotacubsfan]

Also Twitter reminds me how pretty much no group understands economics way less than the pro parking lot bloc.

 

welcome to antiquated city planning. its (eta: parking is) a horsefeathering scourge and its everywhere

Edited September 7, 2022 by minnesotacubsfan

[minnesotacubsfan]

There's probably some federal money to be found if they do something with the Metra station to make it a transit hub. Connect some Pace routes to underserved communities.

 

Can they get some federal money to extend I-290 for that final stretch along 53, and then widen it and add some lanes and new entrance/exit ramps along the way?

 

Outside of that, the onsite hotels/entertainment spots will probably level a tax to pay some additional village/County bonds for road/infrastructure enhancements.

 

I'm sure some TIF is in play, but the starting level which to set the incriment value off of may be a big negotiating point for the village.

 

I'm sure they could get money for doing infrastructure, but the money would only pay for the infrastructure (ie train stops, freeway extensions, etc). the Bears themselves wont be able to direct those funds

Can't they direct it in the sense that design of those things will be built to accommodate the related needs they want for the site? So if a 290 extension is done to accommodate new underpass walk/roadways and specific exits, it will?

 

Or if they want their transit hub to have certain amenities it will?

 

yes, but those are generally paid by the applicant in infrastructure development fees. what I would imagine is the city/state will waive those fees. its money in a sense, but more of a trade-off in saying "look, I'll move here"

[minnesotacubsfan]

and a project the size of an nfl stadium as its anchor and that much mixed use surrounding it would require those infrastructure upgrades, someone has to pay for them