5 minutes ago, CBJ03 said:

It always felt like there was a nice pocket of Sox fans there. If anything it always felt 50/50 at best if not more towards 70/30 Sox. That's mostly just personal experience though.

Funny thing, I grew up in Rogers Park in the 50s and 60s, the neighborhood was 50/50 with Jewish and Christians, I had many Jewish friends and only 1 was a Cub fan, he was a Sox fan but switched when the Sox traded Minnie Minoso after the 1957 season. With my fellow Christians, again only 1 Cub fan and from birth, he was my best friend and unfortunately died in 2003, his grandson is Bobby Miller with the Dodgers who was their number 1 pick a few years ago but has been injury plagued the last few years.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by The Mighty Mite

I didn’t look at the map, but what’s the consensus on parking options? I was told a few months ago they would share a giant lot with the Fire.

44 minutes ago, HoosierSox said:

Who gets a new stadium done first Bears or White Sox? Ishbia seems to be moving fast considering he is not the owner yet.

Sox.

A retractable domed stadium or even a stadium with the outfield dimensions of Comiskey Park or Rate Field would not fit on what Ishbia calls "The Railyards." No wonder he or his surrogates never approached that as a possibility.

A partial view of the Willis Tower and high rise buildings from some seats apparently was a motivation for Ishbia, but the primary one was to own all of the real estate on and surrounding this thing. He seeks to side-step public ownership of Rate Field and the land surrounding it. He doesn't understand that a view of high rise buildings means nothing to Chicagoans, beyond the anticipation of traffic jambs and longer trips to get home.

As a predicate, Ishbia convinced/paid-off/coerced (whatever you choose to believe) Amtrak to move a monster 60 acre rail yard to the Rate Field parking areas. That taking of public land amounts to a desecration of the hallowed ground on the South side, the area where the White Sox have played even prior to the completion of Comiskey Park, including the 1906 defeat of the Cubs at South side park. Does anyone realize how the construction of that rail yard will impact fans, residents of Bridgeport and surrounding businesses during and after that thing is moved there? It would be a disaster.

As to what Ishbia calls "The Railyards" .. I have seen numerous architectural renderings in my time - long enough to question their accuracy, their scale, and how they square with reality. First, the open-air stadium makes very little practical or business sense - primarily because of the weather in Chicago. The lack of attendance because of rainy weather alone is hard to quantify. My own group (now out in the SW suburbs) has often decided not to even depart for a game when the weather even looks like rain is possible.

I noted that there are positives in terms of vehicular access and CTA bus access on the East side of the canal, which will result in a lot more attendance from residents from Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park and so on.

Not sure how the issue of White Sox versus Cub fan attendance in West and NW suburbs of Chicago is relevant to this. To the extent it is relevant, the issue would be where most fans who frequently attend games currently live. My guess is that that fan base ifs firmly on the South side of Chicago and adjacent South and Southwest suburbs. Ishbia doesn't know anything about that and his plan disrespects the South side tradition that has been built for over a century here. My own view as a long time Sox fan, resident of Chicago and the SW suburbs is that Ishbia, his brother and father who are backing this absurd self-serving plan can fvk off.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by tray

30 minutes ago, fathom said:

I didn’t look at the map, but what’s the consensus on parking options? I was told a few months ago they would share a giant lot with the Fire.

The McDonald's Park development includes a 1200-space parking garage and (for now) a surface lot just south of the stadium. I see no reason why that parking wouldn't be available for a Sox stadium since they can easily make sure the scheduling is such that there isn't a Fire and Sox game at the same time. The renderings released today didn't provide details of what all those structures would be aside from one building that says Northwestern Medicine on it, but there should be plenty of room to include more parking structures as part of such a massive development.

And then there's this item from the Crain's article:

"Ishbia has also recently acquired properties adjacent to the railyard sites. Public records show ventures he leads paid $20 million in separate transactions earlier this year for development sites at the northeast corner of Canal and 18th Streets, which are not shown in images of The Railyards."

Could this be available for a surface lot that could accommodate tailgating? That's just pure speculation on my part. Here's the land on a map:

Edited September 5Sep 5 by 77 Hitmen

11 minutes ago, tray said:

A retractable domed stadium or even a stadium with the outfield dimensions of Comiskey Park or Rate Field would not fit on what Ishbia calls "The Railyards." No wonder he or his surrogates never approached that as a possibility.

A partial view of the Willis Tower and high rise buildings from some seats apparently was a motivation for Ishbia, but the primary one was to own all of the real estate on and surrounding this thing. He seeks to side-step public ownership of Rate Field and the land surrounding it. He doesn't understand that a view of high rise buildings means nothing to Chicagoans, beyond the anticipation of traffic jambs and longer trips to get home.

As a predicate, Ishbia convinced/paid-off/coerced (whatever you choose to believe) Amtrak to move a monster 60 acre rail yard to the Rate Field parking areas. That taking of public land amounts to a desecration of the hallowed ground on the South side, the area where the White Sox have played even prior to the completion of Comiskey Park, including the 1906 defeat of the Cubs at South side park. Does anyone realize how the construction of that rail yard will impact fans, residents of Bridgeport and surrounding businesses during and after that thing is moved there? It would be a disaster.

As to what Ishbia calls "The Railyards" .. I have seen numerous architectural renderings in my time - long enough to question their accuracy, their scale, and how they square with reality. First, the open-air stadium makes very little practical or business sense - primarily because of the weather in Chicago. The lack of attendance because of rainy weather alone is hard to quantify. My own group (now out in the SW suburbs) has often decided not to even depart for a game when the weather even looks like rain is possible.

I noted that there are positives in terms of vehicular access and CTA bus access on the East side of the canal, which will result in a lot more attendance from residents from Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park and so on.

Not sure how the issue of White Sox versus Cub fan attendance in West and NW suburbs of Chicago is relevant to this. To the extent it is relevant, the issue would be where most fans who frequently attend games currently live. My guess is that that fan base ifs firmly on the South side of Chicago and adjacent South and Southwest suburbs. Ishbia doesn't know anything about that and his plan disrespects the South side tradition that has been built for over a century here. My own view as a long time Sox fan, resident of Chicago and the SW suburbs is that Ishbia, his brother and father who are backing this absurd self-serving plan can fvk off.

You really should quit accusing people of literal crimes with zero evidence of it. It's disgusting and illegal.

Looking at these proposed photos/maps this would be a great thing for the franchise AND the City of Chicago. With many businesses fleeing the city you have someone willing to develop millions of dollars into the city. This stadium could also have a positive impact on State Street, it would bring more people downtown.

Ishbias (brothers and father: How about providing an architectural rendering of the proposed 60 acre rail yard including Rate Field, Armor Park and the surrounding area. This plan to move the rail yard there is bizarre. If you folks are hell bent on moving from the site where the White Sox are, find a site that does not involve this insanity. Maybe research swapping the Park District or other land owners in order to get a view of Lake Michigan rather than Willis Tower.

1 hour ago, CWSpalehoseCWS said:

Pretty cool, definitely need to keep the pinwheels though. That would be sacrilege to drop those from the scoreboard.

Based on the location I don't believe fireworks will be allowed. Strict rules exist regarding distance to buildings. That is why the large fireworks are launched from left field now, behind the scoreboard is too close to a couple of buildings behind it. That is the tradeoff for being able to look at buildings.

6 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

You really should quit accusing people of literal crimes with zero evidence of it. It's disgusting and illegal.

ROTLMAO.

27 minutes ago, tray said:

A retractable domed stadium or even a stadium with the outfield dimensions of Comiskey Park or Rate Field would not fit on what Ishbia calls "The Railyards." No wonder he or his surrogates never approached that as a possibility.

A partial view of the Willis Tower and high rise buildings from some seats apparently was a motivation for Ishbia, but the primary one was to own all of the real estate on and surrounding this thing. He seeks to side-step public ownership of Rate Field and the land surrounding it. He doesn't understand that a view of high rise buildings means nothing to Chicagoans, beyond the anticipation of traffic jambs and longer trips to get home.

As a predicate, Ishbia convinced/paid-off/coerced (whatever you choose to believe) Amtrak to move a monster 60 acre rail yard to the Rate Field parking areas. That taking of public land amounts to a desecration of the hallowed ground on the South side, the area where the White Sox have played even prior to the completion of Comiskey Park, including the 1906 defeat of the Cubs at South side park. Does anyone realize how the construction of that rail yard will impact fans, residents of Bridgeport and surrounding businesses during and after that thing is moved there? It would be a disaster.

As to what Ishbia calls "The Railyards" .. I have seen numerous architectural renderings in my time - long enough to question their accuracy, their scale, and how they square with reality. First, the open-air stadium makes very little practical or business sense - primarily because of the weather in Chicago. The lack of attendance because of rainy weather alone is hard to quantify. My own group (now out in the SW suburbs) has often decided not to even depart for a game when the weather even looks like rain is possible.

I noted that there are positives in terms of vehicular access and CTA bus access on the East side of the canal, which will result in a lot more attendance from residents from Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park and so on.

Not sure how the issue of White Sox versus Cub fan attendance in West and NW suburbs of Chicago is relevant to this. To the extent it is relevant, the issue would be where most fans who frequently attend games currently live. My guess is that that fan base ifs firmly on the South side of Chicago and adjacent South and Southwest suburbs. Ishbia doesn't know anything about that and his plan disrespects the South side tradition that has been built for over a century here. My own view as a long time Sox fan, resident of Chicago and the SW suburbs is that Ishbia, his brother and father who are backing this absurd self-serving plan can fvk off.

You're fucking insane, you know that?

11 minutes ago, tray said:

ROTLMAO.

I know you think its funny, but it's not. Be better.

31 minutes ago, tray said:

A retractable domed stadium or even a stadium with the outfield dimensions of Comiskey Park or Rate Field would not fit on what Ishbia calls "The Railyards." No wonder he or his surrogates never approached that as a possibility.

A partial view of the Willis Tower and high rise buildings from some seats apparently was a motivation for Ishbia, but the primary one was to own all of the real estate on and surrounding this thing. He seeks to side-step public ownership of Rate Field and the land surrounding it. He doesn't understand that a view of high rise buildings means nothing to Chicagoans, beyond the anticipation of traffic jambs and longer trips to get home.

As a predicate, Ishbia convinced/paid-off/coerced (whatever you choose to believe) Amtrak to move a monster 60 acre rail yard to the Rate Field parking areas. That taking of public land amounts to a desecration of the hallowed ground on the South side, the area where the White Sox have played even prior to the completion of Comiskey Park, including the 1906 defeat of the Cubs at South side park. Does anyone realize how the construction of that rail yard will impact fans, residents of Bridgeport and surrounding businesses during and after that thing is moved there? It would be a disaster.

As to what Ishbia calls "The Railyards" .. I have seen numerous architectural renderings in my time - long enough to question their accuracy, their scale, and how they square with reality. First, the open-air stadium makes very little practical or business sense - primarily because of the weather in Chicago. The lack of attendance because of rainy weather alone is hard to quantify. My own group (now out in the SW suburbs) has often decided not to even depart for a game when the weather even looks like rain is possible.

I noted that there are positives in terms of vehicular access and CTA bus access on the East side of the canal, which will result in a lot more attendance from residents from Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park and so on.

Not sure how the issue of White Sox versus Cub fan attendance in West and NW suburbs of Chicago is relevant to this. To the extent it is relevant, the issue would be where most fans who frequently attend games currently live. My guess is that that fan base ifs firmly on the South side of Chicago and adjacent South and Southwest suburbs. Ishbia doesn't know anything about that and his plan disrespects the South side tradition that has been built for over a century here. My own view as a long time Sox fan, resident of Chicago and the SW suburbs is that Ishbia, his brother and father who are backing this absurd self-serving plan can fvk off.

How the hell do you know what Ishbia does or doesn’t understand or is/isn’t seeking to do? Do you have some insight or insider access that the rest of us don’t have?

I looked at the architectural rendering with perhaps, a more critical eye than some others. So look again at "The "Rail yards" stadium" more critically ...if you can. First, note that the numerous train tracks that currently run through the BNSF yard to the West of this thing remain there. Therefore, the stadium is compressed East to West between the BNSF yard and the Canal. That minimizes RF seating and thus maximizes seating and the amount of decks required. The scoreboard shown is Lilliputian in scale compared to what the WSox have in CF or what the Cubs have in RF.

Not many critical views of the issues surrounding this or Ishbia's proposed plans, but instead some outrage and anger directed toward me. Somebody has to stand up and I am more than happy to do that.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by tray

11 minutes ago, tray said:

I looked at the architectural rendering with perhaps, a more critical eye than some others. So look again at "The "Rail yards" stadium" more critically ...if you can. First, note that the numerous train tracks that currently run through the BNSF yard to the West of this thing remain there. Therefore, the stadium is compressed East to West between the BNSF yard and the Canal. That minimizes RF seating and thus maximizes seating and the amount of decks required. The scoreboard shown is Lilliputian in scale compared to what the WSox have in CF or what the Cubs have in RF.

Not many critical views of the issues surrounding this or Ishbia's proposed plans, but instead some outrage and anger directed toward me. Somebody has to stand up and I am more than happy to do that.

Yeah, this stadium would be the best thing for this franchise. Sorry Bridgeport, but I’ve never heard a single person say “I’m so excited to go to the Sox game and spend time in Bridgeport”. If anything, all I’ve heard my whole life is nervousness about having to drive home after the game. Anyone that says that hasn’t always been the reputation is lying to themselves.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by fathom

I’ve been quiet on this for the most part, but as a Sox fan, there are only two things I care about with the stadium:

• Will it keep the team in Chicagoland area

• Will it help raise payroll to make team more competitive

2 minutes ago, fathom said:

I’ve been quiet on this for the most part, but as a Sox fan, there are only two things I care about with the stadium:

• Will it keep the team in Chicagoland area

• Will it help raise payroll to make team more competitive

See bold new Rays' owner projecting a Top 10-15 payroll with a brand new stadium.

That would at least be in the $150-175 million range.

28 minutes ago, tray said:

I looked at the architectural rendering with perhaps, a more critical eye than some others. So look again at "The "Rail yards" stadium" more critically ...if you can. First, note that the numerous train tracks that currently run through the BNSF yard to the West of this thing remain there. Therefore, the stadium is compressed East to West between the BNSF yard and the Canal. That minimizes RF seating and thus maximizes seating and the amount of decks required. The scoreboard shown is Lilliputian in scale compared to what the WSox have in CF or what the Cubs have in RF.

Not many critical views of the issues surrounding this or Ishbia's proposed plans, but instead some outrage and anger directed toward me. Somebody has to stand up and I am more than happy to do that.

You are out here literally accusing people of crimes with zero proof, and then trying to play the victim. GTFOH.

8 minutes ago, fathom said:

Yeah, this stadium would be the best thing for this franchise. Sorry Bridgeport, but I’ve never heard a single person say “I’m so excited to go to the Sox game and spend time in Bridgeport”. If anything, all I’ve heard my whole life is nervousness about having to drive home after the game. Anyone that says that hasn’t always been the reputation is lying to themselves.

Good point, I probably attended around 200 games at old Comiskey and never did we do something in Bridgeport, never ate at a restaurant unless you want to count the McDonalds by the “L” at 35th and State which wasn’t in Bridgeport. Quite a few times we stopped in Chinatown on the way home, a few times before night games we would stop at Mama Batts Deli/restaurant on Cermak and Michigan for a great corned beef sandwich.

55 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Looking at these proposed photos/maps this would be a great thing for the franchise AND the City of Chicago. With many businesses fleeing the city you have someone willing to develop millions of dollars into the city. This stadium could also have a positive impact on State Street, it would bring more people downtown.

Not millions, billions.

That is going to be so sick. Will be tremendous for the franchise.

1 hour ago, tray said:

My guess is that that fan base ifs firmly on the South side of Chicago and adjacent South and Southwest suburbs. Ishbia doesn't know anything about that and his plan disrespects the South side tradition that has been built for over a century here. My own view as a long time Sox fan, resident of Chicago and the SW suburbs is that Ishbia, his brother and father who are backing this absurd self-serving plan can fvk off.

Wait...isn't the "south loop" on the South Side? I mean...that might be part of his thinking...otherwise he might have considered relocating in Wheeling, Hoffman Estates or Gurnee? I don't have access to his thinking...but not sure how this planned relocation offends the entire South Side? As far as "self-serving plan"...most business decisions are rooted in "self-serving" thoughts...what new about that?

3 minutes ago, BrittBurnsFan said:

Wait...isn't the "south loop" on the South Side? I mean...that might be part of his thinking...otherwise he might have considered relocating in Wheeling, Hoffman Estates or Gurnee? I don't have access to his thinking...but not sure how this planned relocation offends the entire South Side? As far as "self-serving plan"...most business decisions are rooted in "self-serving" thoughts...what new about that?

It's just the ramblings of a mad man. He doesn't speak for anyone but himself.

Here are some noteworthy items from the Crain's article. Some were already mentioned above.

• The full project site covers more than 80 acres.

• Ishbia paid $20M earlier this year in separate transactions for sites at the NE corner of 18th and Canal.

• Ishbia has told people he would privately finance a new stadium.

• Tentative plans include a new Metra station

• Ishbia met with the Mayor yesterday to discuss his plan.

• Note that Ishbia is careful to be aware that he does not yet own the Sox: "If feasible, this plan could be presented to Chicago White Sox leadership for consideration as one of the team’s ballpark options when its current lease in the state-owned ballpark ends."

Edited September 5Sep 5 by 77 Hitmen

The new park would be accessible from Ogilvie by walking a couple blocks to the Green Line and getting off at Roosevelt, easy peasy.

I assume the property's west of the new park would also be developed.

Also, I envision shuttle's to parking lots like the Cubs do. If the Cubs still draw hayseeds from Iowa the Sox can draw from the Chicagoland area.