Mouthsider

The vast majority of NFL teams play in publicly-owned stadiums. They tend to have deals in place to make them “primary tenant” or something of the sort, which gives them near-absolute control for scheduling, a cut for non-NFL events’ revenue, the ability to sell naming rights for sponsorship, etc. This would be similar to their current situation at Soldier Field, except a) their landlord wouldn’t be the Chicago Park District but rather a stadium authority created specifically for the Bears b) they would have priority for scheduling events (no tearing up of the field ahead of a home game) c) they would still stand to make much more money than they currently do at SF, even if they don’t own the stadium.

Here’s a quick photoshop of what a stadium footprint would look like. I chose to use Allegiant Stadium because the Bears’ renders take heavy inspiration from it. You’d have to bend/close a part of 35th Street, but a stadium could definitely fit there. Probably not, I just thought it was a cool thought experiment.

In terms of the timelines, it does, actually. The Sox need to be out by 2029, potentially 2030, and the Bears need to be out by 2033. A 3-4 year window to construct an NFL stadium is ample. In terms of what the Bears want, though, it quickly falls apart. If the White Sox weren’t willing to construct a stadium district around 35th and Shields, there’s no chance the Bears would be. Also, a Bears stadium there would lie on ISFA land, which means they would not own their stadium.

Bears Stadium Watch: What If They Moved to Rate Field Aft...Article on Kaplan’s rumor for those who prefer to read.

I saw this as well. Is Kaplan a trustworthy source?

And, to add insult to injury, they couldn’t even be bothered to orient the stadium to have a view of the skyline, a view which would directly benefit the experience from the 500 level! If fans can’t go down to the main concourse’s level, at least give them a decent view! I actually like the current park, but there are so, so many aspects of it that were robbed of a silver lining. Despite what the ISFA is wishing for, reasons like these are why there is zero chance the Sox stay at Rate Field as-is.

Yes and yes. The guy is funding the entire thing himself and only receiving help through taking advantage of existing federal programs for loans/grants. Although I can see the historical appeal of developing the existing area, since Ishbia’s paying for the whole damn thing, he’s more than entitled to use his preferred location.

They updated this since I last posted it. This link has some early renderings of the proposed facility building: https://mwmaintenancefacility.com/viewer.html?d=trainshed-renderings&y=1084 It doesn’t seem too obtrusive.

From Thompson’s comments about being a “dreamer”, it seems that he envisioned just that, actually. Apartments and retail space, likely mixed use, as well as a hotel would have definitely led to more activity/development around that stretch. While it’s hard to justify going to the ChiSox Bar & Grill when it’s offering its concessions at stadium prices, any independent businesses neighboring it would have lower prices to compete in the market. Jerry likely knew this and didn’t want that. Bridgeport never had a chance to proof itself. Reinsdorf’s reluctance to commercialize the area guaranteed that.

The ISFA owns Rate Field as well as the parking lots used for games, so any development would require a coordination effort between Reinsdorf and the ISFA. The excerpt from DoUEvenShift’s post shows that Reinsdorf (and by extension the ISFA) didn’t care to develop the area.

Gotcha. I don’t think it’s impossible that Bridgeport shot down a development, but its always seemed like a bit of an urban legend to me. If there were ever publicly released plans, I’d very much like to see what was proposed for the area.

I’ve heard of this once before, but I never found an article about it. Got a source? I’d love to read more about it.

Amtrak has plans for ISFA, White Sox parking lots - Sox M...Amtrak released new designs of its planned maintenance facility in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. But it requires access through a state-owned parking lot.Sox Machine article summarizing meetings/takeaways from the last 48 hours. Also answers why the area was never were developed akin to Wrigleyville: As per usual, it’s Reinsdorf’s fault.

He did not, unfortunately. There was allegedly a representative from Canal Edge, but Alderman Lee’s source must have been mistaken.

Chicago Sun-TimesRate Field owners say 'main priority' is keeping White So...Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Chair Leslie Darling said board members haven't met with Amtrak about its plan for a 24/7 maintenance facility in the Bridgeport neighborhood — adding that a WhiteHere’s a Sun-Times article on the manner. Interestingly, a former Amtrak worker spoke out against the development, citing quality concerns of the current South Loop yard. Granted, these will be new, freshly constructed facilities, but I’d add anti-rodent measures to the list of concessions Bridgeporters will be asking for regardless.

…which is why I wondered as to if there’s a plan to develop that area. So that it doesn’t become another CN rail yard in Harvey.

Between Alderman Lee, various mayoral candidates, and the ISFA pushing for the Sox to stay in Bridgeport and Ishbia, Amtrak, and now the CFL pushing for the Sox to relocate to South Loop, I think it’s safe to say that, at this point, 35th and Shields will see major changes (regardless of where the next stadium is located) in the near future. I wonder if there’s been talk of developing that area post-Rate Field.

Per Alderman Nicole Lee, the meeting will be tomorrow at 6:30pm in the Pui Tak Center. Ishbia and Amtrak representatives will be there. Exciting stuff.

It appears Lot C will not be used for access purposes, but I’d guess Amtrak will still require part of it for staging purposes during construction (short-term).

My bad. I mentally listed that under “ideas that have already been mentioned”, since they’ll likely need to extend their lease til 2033ish.

Midwest Maintenance FacilityMidwest Maintenance FacilityAmtrak and Canal Edge are building a modern maintenance facility to support passenger rail in Chicago and across the Midwest.Also, I found this site through that Crain’s article. This contains the most publicly-available information officially endorsed by Amtrak so far, even detailing the rough size/layout of the maintenance facilities.

https://archive.is/J43sN Article from Crain’s about next steps for Rate Field. Not a lot of new information, though still a good read. Much of this reaffirms ideas that have already been mentioned throughout this thread.

Sullivan’s notion that “Bridgeport would now be like River North” is ridiculous and deserves all the clowning it is getting, but the idea that the current stadium’s site was never fully realized is a valid point to raise. Reinsdorf and the ISFA were content with the sea of parking lots, and, in another world, I’m sure the site could have lived up to being the Wrigleyville of the White Sox if development was ever the goal. McCuddy’s being preserved might’ve encouraged Schaller’s to never close, maybe even move closer to the stadium, which might‘ve meant those two, Cork and Kerry, Turtle’s, and potentially others would have all been known as iconic “Comiskeyville” bars. But that’s only what might have transpired in another world. In this world, there is nothing surrounding the field besides parking lots that are only ever used during White Sox home games. The fans deserve a better experience, the team deserves a better reputation, and Bridgeport deserves to finally have the freedom to put something on those empty lots. To those problems, Ishbia’s vision is the only viable solution.

Crain’s has reported Ishbia to be in “advanced talks” with BNSF regarding their yard. I’d pencil it in as happening.

I haven’t seen reports about anything other than the South Loop. It seems Ishbia’s been hunting this spot since he made that deal with Reinsdorf. It’s very likely all or nothing, and both Ishbia and Amtrak (as well as countless Sox fans) would not be happy with the latter.