Is “The 78” Dead? Or even more alive? Fire announce plans for SSS

[tray]

3 hours ago, WBWSF said:

Someone else is going to pay for it, the new owner. At least I hope so. I can't imagine the new owner wants to stay at the present location.

You can't imagine the WSox building a new stadium on 35th street where they have been for over a hundred years, where Babe Ruth and so many baseball legends played, where the Sox won two WS championships and a pennant?  You can't imagine taking advantage of existing infrastructure (nat gas, 3 phase power, water/ sewer), You can't imagine taking advantage of vehicular access to the expressway and pedestrian access to the White Sox stop on 35th street? 

There has been a lot of projection about what current or future Sox ownership might do, but leaving common sense at the doorstep is not a possibility.  And only the naive or uninformed are swayed by the unrelenting propaganda and pressure campaign by Auchi and his Related companies.  Meanwhile Auchi/Related seek tax payer money/.TIF financing  and an anchor tenant for his junk real estate. Mansueto is going to make himself a loser if he falls for that garbage.

[WBWSF]

16 minutes ago, tray said:

You can't imagine the WSox building a new stadium on 35th street where they have been for over a hundred years, where Babe Ruth and so many baseball legends played, where the Sox won two WS championships and a pennant?  You can't imagine taking advantage of existing infrastructure (nat gas, 3 phase power, water/ sewer), You can't imagine taking advantage of vehicular access to the expressway and pedestrian access to the White Sox stop on 35th street? 

There has been a lot of projection about what current or future Sox ownership might do, but leaving common sense at the doorstep is not a possibility.  And only the naive or uninformed are swayed by the unrelenting propaganda and pressure campaign by Auchi and his Related companies.  Meanwhile Auchi/Related seek tax payer money/.TIF financing  and an anchor tenant for his junk real estate. Mansueto is going to make himself a loser if he falls for that garbage.

No,I can't imagine the team playing at the present location. It certainly has alot of history in that area. The problem is its not a popular location. If the team doesn't win the team doesn't draw well. Let me point out I don't care where they play. I've been a season ticket holder for close to 35 years. Its been said that 20% of the Cubs attendance comes from out of state. The out of state fans don't take in too many White Sox games. That would change if they moved to the 78.

[caulfield12]

"In summary, cities like Austin, Fort Worth, and Orlando exemplify the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., driven by diverse job opportunities and lifestyles that cater to various age groups and interests."

 

Tampa Bay to Orlando and a new San Antonio/Austin team makes sense.

[nrockway]

41 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

I said $4000 higher too pal, not 4x higher. Very big difference.

Well that’s incorrect too. The census “estimates” are the most accurate that exist. You haven’t posted your sources whereas I have. We are both wrong. I’m happy to be wrong. I learn something. Post what you know, I might change my mind. This is also a pointless detour. 
 

if you have a better source that us census, please do tell. Also who cares. 

[Sleepy Harold]

9 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

No,I can't imagine the team playing at the present location. It certainly has alot of history in that area. The problem is its not a popular location. If the team doesn't win the team doesn't draw well. Let me point out I don't care where they play. I've been a season ticket holder for close to 35 years. Its been said that 20% of the Cubs attendance comes from out of state. The out of state fans don't take in too many White Sox games. That would change if they moved to the 78.

Quote

The agreement also said a second stadium can’t be built without the development team coming back to the Plan Commission and the community for consideration — an obstacle for the Chicago White Sox, who were eyeing a stadium at The 78.

Link 

 

Agreed, the 78 being in a much closer proximity to downtown as well as the sizable difference in public transportation ridership in the area alone could theoretically boost the casual attendee. They'll have their work cut out for them if they want to get into the 78, mainly who's paying for it and clearing it with the Plan Commission. 

[kba]

6 hours ago, WBWSF said:

What does this mean  for a future White Sox stadium there.? There talking apartments around there and other things.

Looks like the immediate plan is just to build the Fire stadium and some surface parking lots. The other proposed buildings would come much later.

https://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961

https:/https://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961/x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961s://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961

Edited September 19 by kba

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

30 minutes ago, nrockway said:

Well that’s incorrect too. The census “estimates” are the most accurate that exist. You haven’t posted your sources whereas I have. We are both wrong. I’m happy to be wrong. I learn something. Post what you know, I might change my mind. This is also a pointless detour. 
 

if you have a better source that us census, please do tell. Also who cares. 

Tax data and cost of labor data provided by comp surveys from sources like mercer and bls outputs are more accurate predictors of COL which correlates directly to household income. They're also much more recent. 

Edited September 19 by Look at Ray Ray Run

[77 Hitmen]

9 hours ago, WBWSF said:

What does this mean  for a future White Sox stadium there.? There talking apartments around there and other things.

It means Sox ownership (present and future) better get a move on if they really want to build a stadium at the 78.   We know Jerry isn't going to pay for a new stadium and the state certainly won't. 

It's all up to what the Ishbias want to do with the franchise going forward as JR eventually hands off ownership to them and they haven't said a word on the issue.  It could very well be that their plan is to stay at 35th St and make major changes there.  We'll see.

 

[77 Hitmen]

2 hours ago, kba said:

Looks like the immediate plan is just to build the Fire stadium and some surface parking lots. The other proposed buildings would come much later.

https://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961

https:/https://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961/x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961s://x.com/BuildingChi/status/1968745733521092961

Until someone builds something permanent (surface lots don't count) on the south end of the 78, the door isn't closed on the Sox building a stadium there.  Interesting that the Fire's plan shows not much development south of their stadium other than surface lots.  That could indicate that they and Related Midwest are aware the Sox are still an option for that end of the property.  

[WBWSF]

9 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

It means Sox ownership (present and future) better get a move on if they really want to build a stadium at the 78.   We know Jerry isn't going to pay for a new stadium and the state certainly won't. 

It's all up to what the Ishbias want to do with the franchise going forward as JR eventually hands off ownership to them and they haven't said a word on the issue.  It could very well be that their plan is to stay at 35th St and make major changes there.  We'll see.

 

What major changes can you do at the present stadium? Take away the parking that most fans like?  You would have to spend millions of dollars to fix that miserable upper deck.

[77 Hitmen]

On 9/18/2025 at 12:15 PM, The Mighty Mite said:

After 32 years in Florida I had no idea that the Hillside area was crime infested.

I don't know about crime, but I remember that Hillside area being kind of dumpy even ~30 years ago.   Further south are nicer areas.  I'm thinking of the Western Springs/LaGrange area as being rather pleasant.

[77 Hitmen]

7 hours ago, WBWSF said:

What major changes can you do at the present stadium? Take away the parking that most fans like?  You would have to spend millions of dollars to fix that miserable upper deck.

I don't disagree that it would be difficult, if not financially impractical, to fix some of the biggest structural flaws of Rate Field.  I just think it's a possible outcome that they could remain at Rate Field long-term.  I for one will be very unhappy and disappointed if that happens since IMHO it'll doom the Sox to pretty much their current, reduced market share (a small market team within a major market) and to recurring attendance issues for decades to come. 

When you say "take away the parking that most fans like", by "most fans" do you mean the 17,000 that show up for games now or the fans that say they'll only attend games if the Sox make the playoffs in multiple seasons?  I'm sorry, but the Sox have been catering to fans who want nothing more than a ballpark right off the expressway and surrounded by acres of parking lots and it's obviously not working and it goes against what just about every other MLB team has figured out over the last 30 years.  Plus, it's not like they'll eliminate all parking if they redeveloped the area around the current stadium.  They'll also have parking if they move to the 78, too.  

Edited September 19 by 77 Hitmen

[southsider2k5]

6 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

I don't disagree that it would be difficult, if not financially impractical, to fix some of the biggest structural flaws of Rate Field.  I just think it's a possible outcome that they could remain at Rate Field long-term.  I for one will be very unhappy and disappointed if that happens since IMHO it'll doom the Sox to pretty much their current, reduced market share (a small market team within a major market) and to recurring attendance issues for decades to come. 

When you say "take away the parking that most fans like", by "most fans" do you mean the 17,000 that show up for games now or the fans that say they'll only attend games if the Sox make the playoffs in multiple seasons?  I'm sorry, but the Sox have been catering to fans who want nothing more than a ballpark right off the expressway and surrounded by acres of parking lots and it's obviously not working and it goes against what just about every other MLB team has figured out over the last 30 years.  Plus, it's not like they'll eliminate all parking if they redeveloped the area around the current stadium.  They'll also have parking if they move to the 78, too.  

Yeah, exactly.  We keep hearing from one person who thinks this will destroy something, but this is a very small fan base that shows up on a regular basis.  If you are going to draw fans, you do need to think about doing something to attract others, because the sox do not have the base that shows up no matter what.  Maybe if a Sox game was more of an event, you tap into some of the "entertainment" market, instead of waiting for the, "I will believe it when I see it" group that isn't there.

[chitownsportsfan]

Parking argument seems absurd to me. This isn't some field out in the middle of nowhere. It's reasonably well served by CTA from what posters have said, if not perfectly, well enough. How many people would stop coming if they couldn't just park within 500 feet of the stadium? Like 10% of the people that come out? 50%? I don't know, maybe our crack PR team could do some market research. 

The Mariners for all their failures have done a good job of making the area around Safeco a fun tailgate area and pregame spot. Did they close some parking lots? Sure did. The parking lot is now a vendor area and it's fine. Granted Seattle and Chicago are vastly different cities geographically and transit wise but I don't think many fans give half a crap about less parking. They want fun, things to do, people looking like they are having fun. You what doesn't look like fun? Giant parking lots. 

[WBWSF]

16 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

I don't disagree that it would be difficult, if not financially impractical, to fix some of the biggest structural flaws of Rate Field.  I just think it's a possible outcome that they could remain at Rate Field long-term.  I for one will be very unhappy and disappointed if that happens since IMHO it'll doom the Sox to pretty much their current, reduced market share (a small market team within a major market) and to recurring attendance issues for decades to come. 

When you say "take away the parking that most fans like", by "most fans" do you mean the 17,000 that show up for games now or the fans that say they'll only attend games if the Sox make the playoffs in multiple seasons?  I'm sorry, but the Sox have been catering to fans who want nothing more than a ballpark right off the expressway and surrounded by acres of parking lots and it's obviously not working and it goes against what just about every other MLB team has figured out over the last 30 years.  Plus, it's not like they'll eliminate all parking if they redeveloped the area around the current stadium.  They'll also have parking if they move to the 78, too.  

Most of the 17,000 fans that show up  (like me) are from the suburbs. If there were no parking lots most of those fans wouldn't go to the games. Anyways, I hope they move to the 78 and I hope you're right that there will be parking there.

[chitownsportsfan]

3 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Most of the 17,000 fans that show up  (like me) are from the suburbs. If there were no parking lots most of those fans wouldn't go to the games. Anyways, I hope they move to the 78 and I hope you're right that there will be parking there.

Doesn't Chicago have park and ride?

[Kyyle23]

The parking is pretty great but it shouldn’t be the selling point of a stadium.  

[southsider2k5]

7 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Most of the 17,000 fans that show up  (like me) are from the suburbs. If there were no parking lots most of those fans wouldn't go to the games. Anyways, I hope they move to the 78 and I hope you're right that there will be parking there.

Bullshit.  The fucking Chicago Cubs exist and draw three million people a year from all over the fucking world, with basically zero parking lots.  So do professional franchises all over the United States and the rest of the world.  There might be some people too scared or afraid to learn about public transit, but it isn't like the Sox are disappearing into a void that literally no one can adjust to.  It's not that fucking hard to go to somewhere that you can't easily drive a car to.

[chitownsportsfan]

58 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Bullshit.  The fucking Chicago Cubs exist and draw three million people a year from all over the fucking world, with basically zero parking lots.  So do professional franchises all over the United States and the rest of the world.  There might be some people too scared or afraid to learn about public transit, but it isn't like the Sox are disappearing into a void that literally no one can adjust to.  It's not that fucking hard to go to somewhere that you can't easily drive a car to.

Not trying to knock @WBWSFlord knows he's a diehard Sox fan if he's still attending games but the Sox have to get out of the mindset that they can't draw like the Cubs do and need to cater to people driving in from the burbs. 

[77 Hitmen]

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

Most of the 17,000 fans that show up  (like me) are from the suburbs. If there were no parking lots most of those fans wouldn't go to the games. Anyways, I hope they move to the 78 and I hope you're right that there will be parking there.

But nobody is suggesting that there will be no parking lots at either a redeveloped current site or the 78.  That sort of sounds like a strawman argument.

Otherwise, you're not wrong that there are going to be fans who want to drive to the game and can't/won't use public transportation.  I just don't see a scenario where parking is essentially eliminated for people attending Sox games. 

Edited September 19 by 77 Hitmen

[Tnetennba]

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

Most of the 17,000 fans that show up  (like me) are from the suburbs. If there were no parking lots most of those fans wouldn't go to the games. Anyways, I hope they move to the 78 and I hope you're right that there will be parking there.

The Red and Green line stations before and after games would like a word with you. You obviously dont take transit to games so you haven't a clue, but plenty do. 

Edited September 19 by Tnetennba

[WBWSF]

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

Bullshit.  The fucking Chicago Cubs exist and draw three million people a year from all over the fucking world, with basically zero parking lots.  So do professional franchises all over the United States and the rest of the world.  There might be some people too scared or afraid to learn about public transit, but it isn't like the Sox are disappearing into a void that literally no one can adjust to.  It's not that fucking hard to go to somewhere that you can't easily drive a car to.

Do you think the Cubs would draw 3 million fans a year if Wrigley Field was located at 35th and Shields? The Northside   neighborhood is much different than 35th and Shields..

[WBWSF]

7 minutes ago, Tnetennba said:

The Red and Green line stations before and after games would like a word with you. You obviously dont take transit to games so you haven't a clue, but plenty do. 

I've read a number of times that 20% of White Sox fans come by public transportation.

[pcq]

On 9/16/2025 at 4:54 PM, Lip Man 1 said:

I'd be shocked if there was any announcement or information "coming soon." 

Well there are a lot of empty areas right next to the current stadium as others have suggested or what I think will happen the Sox are going to stay right where they are with Ishbia trying to improve the surrounding areas and the park itself. 

This org has no ability to develop a ballpark or a village other than village idiots. Maybe there will be new people to do this. 

[southsider2k5]

17 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Do you think the Cubs would draw 3 million fans a year if Wrigley Field was located at 35th and Shields? The Northside   neighborhood is much different than 35th and Shields..

Well there is it.  A great reason for the Sox to NOT be at 35th and Shields.