3 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

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 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."

JR should surprise us all and do the right thing and sell now to Ishbia and get this thing rolling.

I've looked at a number of sites in regards to the new stadium. One site pointed out that the proposed stadium has upper decks that are higher than the present stadium upper deck. I hope this isn't true. Everybody has hated the present upper deck. Nobody wants to sit up there. Even after taking off some of the rows of the upper deck, it is too high. I hope they don't make the same mistake with the new stadium. Nobody will want to sit up there.

3 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

JR should surprise us all and do the right thing and sell now to Ishbia and get this thing rolling.

it already is rolling, without JR

4 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I've looked at a number of sites in regards to the new stadium. One site pointed out that the proposed stadium has upper decks that are higher than the present stadium upper deck. I hope this isn't true. Everybody has hated the present upper deck. Nobody wants to sit up there. Even after taking off some of the rows of the upper deck, it is too high. I hope they don't make the same mistake with the new stadium. Nobody will want to sit up there.

I think what bothers most fans is not the height but the steepness of the UD.

5 minutes ago, Falstaff said:

it already is rolling, without JR

I thought the rumor was JR is ok with this

2 hours 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.

2 hours 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 about you go f*** off bro. This would be an incredible outcome for Sox fans and the city of Chicago and yet you continue to make ridiculously stupid statements like”Ishbia doesn’t know where Sox fans live” in a desperate attempt to discredit his vision.

2 minutes ago, fathom said:

I thought the rumor was JR is ok with this

JR doesn't matter, this is Ishbia's time.

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

How about you go f*** off bro. This would be an incredible outcome for Sox fans and the city of Chicago and yet you continue to make ridiculously stupid statements like”Ishbia doesn’t know where Sox fans live” in a desperate attempt to discredit his vision.

Would literally be second best thing to ever happen to the franchise in our lifetime. First being letting Benetti go, of course

12 minutes ago, Falstaff said:

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.

Also by water taxi!

1 minute ago, Falstaff said:

JR doesn't matter, this is Ishbia's time.

I wish that was true

6 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I've looked at a number of sites in regards to the new stadium. One site pointed out that the proposed stadium has upper decks that are higher than the present stadium upper deck. I hope this isn't true. Everybody has hated the present upper deck. Nobody wants to sit up there. Even after taking off some of the rows of the upper deck, it is too high. I hope they don't make the same mistake with the new stadium. Nobody will want to sit up there.

I don't know the exact specifications...but Petco (my favorite park) seems very high yet closer to the foul lines...and it rocks! I think the upper deck needs to be as close to the field as engineering would allow...not sure if modern technology can allow upper decks to be situated closer to the field than they did in 1990 (without the poles like old Comiskey had)?

The Sox entrance to the upper deck was the issue. If the entrance was in the middle of the upper deck and you walked up or walked down to your aisle would have solved the problem.

Nobody complains about Dodger Stadium.

I made a quick edit of Ishbia’s proposed plan overlaid on a current satellite view of the area (to scale).

Honestly, I don’t think tailgating will be lost. As 77 Hitmen pointed out, the area northeast of 18th and Canal St. is full of empty lots. Additionally, the area between Lumber St. and the river was left unchanged. Notice, just north of it, the winding road that leads to nowhere. I’m thinking that road actually goes under the railroad bridges and leads to Lumber St.

Although it could just as easily be turned into a riverside park (such as Ping Tom Park, which is right across the river from it), as of now, that whole area has the potential to be used for parking.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by Mouthsider

As an out of stater, I love that. I'd be up for a weekend series or 2 for sure, once we move to a park like that.

I hate just how stale, unoriginal and bland New Comiskey is (nope, not that other name).

1 hour 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

Yup, and Ishbia is going to finance the bulk of it himself. The Sox aren’t staying at the current location, so while I feel bad for Bridgeport residents, this day was always coming. At least now, the new stadium will remain in Chicago, at a better location to attract casuals & out of towners, and will be an absolute stunner.

I agree that JR can still screw things up in the present for the team. But JR is basically a lame duck on any local Chicago stadium desires Ishiba has.

1 minute ago, Capn12 said:

As an out of stater, I love that. I'd be up for a weekend series or 2 for sure, once we move to a park like that.

I hate just how stale, unoriginal and bland New Comiskey is (nope, not that other name).

When it first opened, it was way worse. I hate to give credit to JR but the make over starting in 2003 improved the place immensely.

1 minute ago, Capn12 said:

As an out of stater, I love that. I'd be up for a weekend series or 2 for sure, once we move to a park like that.

I hate just how stale, unoriginal and bland New Comiskey is (nope, not that other name).

When it first opened, it was way worse. I hate to give credit to JR but the make over starting in 2003 improved the place immensely.

14 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

Also by water taxi!

through that toxic sewage dump? /s

Here is why JR doesn't matter, have you heard him say anything about what Ishbia's plans are? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

19 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

Also by water taxi!

7 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

When it first opened, it was way worse. I hate to give credit to JR but the make over starting in 2003 improved the place immensely.

I remember being very young and sitting in the last row of the upper deck for a Cubs Sox game before the renovations, what a nightmare that climb to the seats was

2 hours 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 can you credibly say that a view of the skyline “means nothing to Chicagoans”? It means a lot to this Chicagoan, and many other Chicagoans who are my friends and neighbors.

By the way, are you currently a Chicagoan?

2 hours ago, ThirdGen said:

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.

Although that may be true, based off this render, keeping fireworks seems to be part of the plan. Grease those palms, Justin!

30 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I've looked at a number of sites in regards to the new stadium. One site pointed out that the proposed stadium has upper decks that are higher than the present stadium upper deck. I hope this isn't true. Everybody has hated the present upper deck. Nobody wants to sit up there. Even after taking off some of the rows of the upper deck, it is too high. I hope they don't make the same mistake with the new stadium. Nobody will want to sit up there.

How can they know this based on these renderings? Do you have a link to the site that made this claim because I have my doubts that they have the measurements for this proposed stadium based on the renderings that have been released.

IMO, the issues with the current upper deck are:

1) after the 100 level and a very small club level, your next choice is all the way up to the 500 level. I've been to several post-Camden ballparks and most have many seats available in the 200 and 300 levels before you really get up to the 400 and 500 seats. So, while there are still crappy seats, they are in a smaller percentage. At Rate Field, something like 40% of all available seats are in the 500 level!

2) As someone else mentioned, the entrance to the 500 seats are way at the bottom. If you're in row 21, you have to slog up 21 rows of steep steps to get to your seat. Some fans used to have to climb up 29 rows!