I drove up to Minneapolis through a snow blizzard to attend the Hormel Foods Baseball Classic on March 1, 2002, at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome. The teams were Minnesota, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida Atlantic.

The whole time I was white knuckling it on I-94 I knew there was going to be baseball when I got there. That was the only thing that validated the HHH Metrodome.

Cold (without rain) is fine as long as you are properly dressed. It's the insane heat that gets you.

I went to a game at Globe Life Park years ago in the middle of July and I could barely make it through the game. (Granted I was probably dehydrated from all the beer)

Domes are fine for AZ/Tex but I don't see the point for us unless they are able to somehow make it feel like a full open air stadium when open like 77 said.

I don’t think the absence of a roof is a bad thing by any means, but I do think the idea is being sold short here. Being able to regulate temperatures is one thing, but the real perk the Sox would benefit from would be to never, ever have games be rained out (or, sometimes in the early season, snowed out) again.

This benefit would allow them to directly compete with Wrigley for tourism, since any homestands during rough weather would essentially filter baseball fans to the unaffected, roofed White Sox stadium. This also ties in to the general idea of moving the Sox to the South Loop: by building a downtown stadium with a skyline view surrounded by a modern baseball district, Ishbia will draw in much, much more tourism.

Furthermore, it would benefit blue-collar Sox fans by making a potential midweek game a guarantee time-wise. No need to worry about the 6:40pm game starting at 8:20pm, and especially no need to worry about tonight’s game getting pushed to tomorrow afternoon. They can simply close the roof and start at the scheduled time.

I love the outdoors. I’d loathe the Bears playing in a dome, and I firmly believe that building a fixed-roof stadium would be the worst thing Ishbia could do. Like 77 Hitmen said, Ishbia hasn’t even released a stadium design, so there’s no need to panic either way, but if it were to have a roof, I think many here would enjoy the conveniences it would bring more than they think.

39 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

Cold (without rain) is fine as long as you are properly dressed. It's the insane heat that gets you.

I went to a game at Globe Life Park years ago in the middle of July and I could barely make it through the game. (Granted I was probably dehydrated from all the beer)

Domes are fine for AZ/Tex but I don't see the point for us unless they are able to somehow make it feel like a full open air stadium when open like 77 said.

I remember sitting in the previous Texas stadium when it was 104 degrees at 10 pm, and with the stupid office building covering left field the air NEVER moved.

Here’s a fresh article by Josh Nelson regarding the recent developments in the process:

Amtrak's planned maintenance facility next to Rate Field...

What seemed like a creative solution that would be promoted as a unique and beneficial public-private partnership between Justin Ishbia and Amtrak is becoming more contentious.

Not much different from the most recent Crain’s article, but still worth a read. The biggest new piece of information in this article seems to be that Amtrak will be releasing final designs soon:

As for final maintenance facility renderings, Amtrak plans to share them with Bridgeport residents in upcoming community meetings this fall. They expect an 18-month buildout with about 3,000 workers and hope to start construction in 2027, which would mean the buildout will be ongoing during both the 2027 and 2028 Major League Baseball seasons next to Rate Field.

Outside of that, Illinois comptroller and Chicago mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza has chose to ally with the Bridgeporters, although (imo) this is a strategic move to garner support for her campaign. Like southsider2k5 has said, Amtrak can just federally supersede any resistance put up by Chicago anyways, which Mendoza most likely knows.

Edited September 4Sep 4 by Mouthsider

56 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Oh s%*#, Ron is on my side? I have to be wrong.

I am switching to Kyyle's side.

2 hours ago, JoeC said:

Minnesota can get away with an open air stadium.

Detroit can get away with open air.

Cleveland can get away with open air.

…but Chicago can’t?

Usability in winter for concerts and things like final four might be the only argument here.

Does that literally make us "fair weather fans"?

2 hours ago, ron883 said:

I completely agree. PNC Park is always up there as one of the best parks in the league. The views are immaculate from home plate. It's so damn cool looking. They have to deal with s%*# weather there as well. This stadium has the chance to be up there with PNC. Having a retractable dome with really diminish the aesthetics and views. Give me a gorgeous stadium with killer skyline views over a retractable dome.

You could possibly include Oracle Park with that with its amazing view. Anyone who says it doesn't get cold there hasn't been to San Francisco in the summer.😉 There's some truth to what Mark Twain said about the summers there.

4 hours ago, JoeC said:

Minnesota can get away with an open air stadium.

Detroit can get away with open air.

Cleveland can get away with open air.

…but Chicago can’t?

Usability in winter for concerts and things like final four might be the only argument here.

I’m not saying no we cannot do this any longer I demand a roof. I’m saying that if it were me designing this field in some crazy scenario where I had some say in the matter(disclaimer: I don’t) I would like to have a retractable roof.

if I were to have a say in this matter ( I don’t) I would also try to make sure that retractable roof allowed for views so certain parties could marvel at the views.

4 hours ago, Mouthsider said:

Here’s a fresh article by Josh Nelson regarding the recent developments in the process:

Amtrak's planned maintenance facility next to Rate Field...

What seemed like a creative solution that would be promoted as a unique and beneficial public-private partnership between Justin Ishbia and Amtrak is becoming more contentious.

Not much different from the most recent Crain’s article, but still worth a read. The biggest new piece of information in this article seems to be that Amtrak will be releasing final designs soon:

Outside of that, Illinois comptroller and Chicago mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza has chose to ally with the Bridgeporters, although (imo) this is a strategic move to garner support for her campaign. Like southsider2k5 has said, Amtrak can just federally supersede any resistance put up by Chicago anyways, which Mendoza most likely knows.

Thanks for sharing. And yeah, Mendoza is definitely doing this because she's running for mayor just like she issued a "finding" during the last few days of the General Assembly spring session criticizing the proposed legislation that would have let the Bears move to Arlington Heights.

Here's some interesting points from the article:

• Amtrak had plans for Bridgeport long before Ishbia got involved and even before he was considered as the next Sox owner. The original plan was for Amtrak to build their maintenance facility just west of Rate Field (between 33rd and 37th) even with the assumption the Sox would remain at Rate Field.

• Amtrak didn't believe the existing 14th St. Yard or Union Pacific's "Global 1" site at Western Ave were suitable for their needs.

• That "Global 1" site is rumored to be where BNSF would move their facility if it leaves the 14th St. site. (btw, this is at 1425 S. Western - just north of the BNSF Western Ave Metra stop)

• After they met with Ishbia was when they decided to add the train yard between 26th and 29th for the rest of their facility so that they could vacate 14th St.

• Locomotive and railcar maintenance would be performed indoors.

• Amtrak claims air emissions would be less than they were when this was operating as a freight yard.

• In the comments, Josh Nelson says the railyard has been dormant since 2019.

I found the last item interesting. So, it was an active freight yard as recently as 2019? If so, it's not like it's been dormant for decades and decades. How would noise and air emissions from an Amtrak facility compare to what was going on just before Covid on those train parcels?

Edited September 4Sep 4 by 77 Hitmen

9 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

It isn't about the suffering, it is about what is being given up, at least for me.

What, exactly, is given up with a retractable roof? Aside from misery.

12 minutes ago, Paulie4Pres said:

What, exactly, is given up with a retractable roof? Aside from misery.

Aesthetics….and space to fit the stadium in. An extra $300-500 million check for Ishbia.

Globe Life looks like a big barn from outside…although that’s a more standard dome.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by caulfield12

7 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Aesthetics….and space to fit the stadium in. An extra $300-500 million check for Ishbia.

Globe Life looks like a big barn from outside…although that’s a more standard dome.

I would personally love to have a park like the one in Seattle.

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Thanks for sharing. And yeah, Mendoza is definitely doing this because she's running for mayor just like she issued a "finding" during the last few days of the General Assembly spring session criticizing the proposed legislation that would have let the Bears move to Arlington Heights.

Here's some interesting points from the article:

• Amtrak had plans for Bridgeport long before Ishbia got involved and even before he was considered as the next Sox owner. The original plan was for Amtrak to build their maintenance facility just west of Rate Field (between 33rd and 37th) even with the assumption the Sox would remain at Rate Field.

• Amtrak didn't believe the existing 14th St. Yard or Union Pacific's "Global 1" site at Western Ave were suitable for their needs.

• That "Global 1" site is rumored to be where BNSF would move their facility if it leaves the 14th St. site. (btw, this is at 1425 S. Western - just north of the BNSF Western Ave Metra stop)

• After they met with Ishbia was when they decided to add the train yard between 26th and 29th for the rest of their facility so that they could vacate 14th St.

• Locomotive and railcar maintenance would be performed indoors.

• Amtrak claims air emissions would be less than they were when this was operating as a freight yard.

• In the comments, Josh Nelson says the railyard has been dormant since 2019.

I found the last item interesting. So, it was an active freight yard as recently as 2019? If so, it's not like it's been dormant for decades and decades. How would noise and air emissions from an Amtrak facility compare to what was going on just before Covid on those train parcels?

So Ishbia isn't a cartoon villain twirling his comic mustache while laughing at the dome lovers of Bridgeport? Who knew.

11 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

So Ishbia isn't a cartoon villain twirling his comic mustache while laughing at the dome lovers of Bridgeport? Who knew.

Just watch, the Northwestern Medical facility will turn into an EVIL data center…

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Thanks for sharing. And yeah, Mendoza is definitely doing this because she's running for mayor just like she issued a "finding" during the last few days of the General Assembly spring session criticizing the proposed legislation that would have let the Bears move to Arlington Heights.

Here's some interesting points from the article:

• Amtrak had plans for Bridgeport long before Ishbia got involved and even before he was considered as the next Sox owner. The original plan was for Amtrak to build their maintenance facility just west of Rate Field (between 33rd and 37th) even with the assumption the Sox would remain at Rate Field.

• Amtrak didn't believe the existing 14th St. Yard or Union Pacific's "Global 1" site at Western Ave were suitable for their needs.

• That "Global 1" site is rumored to be where BNSF would move their facility if it leaves the 14th St. site. (btw, this is at 1425 S. Western - just north of the BNSF Western Ave Metra stop)

• After they met with Ishbia was when they decided to add the train yard between 26th and 29th for the rest of their facility so that they could vacate 14th St.

• Locomotive and railcar maintenance would be performed indoors.

• Amtrak claims air emissions would be less than they were when this was operating as a freight yard.

• In the comments, Josh Nelson says the railyard has been dormant since 2019.

I found the last item interesting. So, it was an active freight yard as recently as 2019? If so, it's not like it's been dormant for decades and decades. How would noise and air emissions from an Amtrak facility compare to what was going on just before Covid on those train parcels?

Well well, Ron was right again

If BNSF sells to Ishbia, I wonder what the chances of getting a metra stop there would be. Feels like a no brainer. It would be fantastic to have a metra stop right next to the stadium.

The existing Halsted St BNSF stop would be about a 15-20 minute walk from the stadium, which isn't awful. A dedicated stop would be perfect though.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by ron883

2 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

So Ishbia isn't a cartoon villain twirling his comic mustache while laughing at the dome lovers of Bridgeport? Who knew.

This reads like a poor attempt at a diss towards people that having differing opinions to you across two separate topics.

None of us have any say in how this stadium is design nor where it is built. Does mocking people for having a preferred location or preferred feature included in the design make you feel big?

2 minutes ago, ron883 said:

If BNSF sells to Ishbia, I wonder what the chances of getting a metra stop there would be. Feels like a no brainer. It would be fantastic to have a metra line right next to the stadium.

A BNSF stop would print money. That line’s demographic is supposed to be one of the wealthier groups among Metra lines, if I’m remembering correctly. Also provides the highest ridership.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by Mouthsider

10 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Just watch, the Northwestern Medical facility will turn into an EVIL data center…

Nah. The Rate will become one after they move. A domed data center hahahaha. HAHAHAHA

1 minute ago, Mouthsider said:

A BNSF stop would print money. That line’s demographic is supposed to be one of the wealthier groups among Metra lines, if I’m remembering correctly.

Riverside, LaGrange, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Western Springs, Naperville, Aurora, Brookfield, Berwyn. Some wealthy and highly populated towns/cities.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by ron883

4 minutes ago, Mouthsider said:

This reads like a poor attempt at a diss towards people that having differing opinions to you across two separate topics.

None of us have any say in how this stadium is design nor where it is built. Does mocking people for having a preferred location or preferred feature included in the design make you feel big?

Nah, you aren’t gaslighting your way out of this. One person has been here projecting all of his s%*# on to Ishbia with zero evidence of any of it being accurate. In fact, it keeps getting proven false and made up fantasy. They are 100% due all the strays they catch, and it isn't you.

Just now, southsider2k5 said:

Nah, you aren’t gaslighting your way out of this. One person has been here projecting all of his s%*# on to Ishbia with zero evidence of any of it being accurate. In fact, it keeps getting proven false and made up fantasy. They are 100% due all the strays they catch, and it isn't you.

Gaslighting? Really? You can literally scroll up and read your own post. I’m not sure how the plural “dome lovers of Bridgeport” is supposed to refer to a singular user, but sure, accuse me of gaslighting.

I’m new to this forum, and I only ever look at this thread, which I originally thought was going to be primarily news-based. As such, I have no idea who this archenemy of yours is. I only just recently started recognizing some members’ usernames. Whoever they are, I wish you luck in dealing with them. It seems the rivalry is fierce.

1 hour ago, Mouthsider said:

Gaslighting? Really? You can literally scroll up and read your own post. I’m not sure how the plural “dome lovers of Bridgeport” is supposed to refer to a singular user, but sure, accuse me of gaslighting.

I’m new to this forum, and I only ever look at this thread, which I originally thought was going to be primarily news-based. As such, I have no idea who this archenemy of yours is. I only just recently started recognizing some members’ usernames. Whoever they are, I wish you luck in dealing with them. It seems the rivalry is fierce.

All threads are going to be 1 news post and about 100 reaction posts. That's pretty standard around these parts. If you've been reading this thread you also know to whom and what the references are too.

1 hour ago, ron883 said:

Well well, Ron was right again

If there really was an active freight rail yard there until 2019 that had noise and emissions, that weakens the argument that they're suddenly putting an Amtrak facility where residents experience nothing on that spot before. Not that residents don't have the right to be angry/concerned or to ask for more transparency when a new maintenance facility is proposed in their neighborhood, but it's not like they're proposing a waste incinerator on that spot.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by 77 Hitmen