11 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

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

My wife and I sat in row 29 which was the top row for the 1993 Division clincher against the Mariners. We never left our seats for the entire game plus the celebration afterwards.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by The Mighty Mite

47 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.

There used to be an enclosed walkway connecting Ogilvie (known back then as the Northwestern Station) to what is now the Green Line!

Speaking of shuttles, I'd imagine they could operate shuttles from the ballpark to all the downtown Metra terminals. Those would be a fairly short bus ride. Union Station and LaSalle stations are walking distance, but not everyone wants to or is able to make the 20-minute walk.

Chicago Sun-Times

'Northwest Passage' connecting Ogilvie and Clinton CTA st...

The two-block covered walkway between the stations was closed in 1989. The shutdown was supposed to last three or four years, but the walkway ended up becoming extinct.

The design looks terrific, hope he can get it done.

1 hour 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 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."

Sounds like it’s very possible that shovels will be in the ground around this time next year. Bridgeport can fight the new Amtrak maintenance building all they want, but the eminent domain powers of the railroad will push it to reality no matter what. The new stadium and surrounding entertainment area will bring a huge boost to the future of the Sox. I can’t wait to be able to take my son to a game there. Very exciting times for the franchise and fans.

1 hour ago, Falstaff said:

it already is rolling, without JR

Honestly I figured that this would be one of JRs last acts, but apparently he couldn't handle it based on his humiliation with the 78 downstate. I also wonder if new ownership would rather own and control the park vs being obligated to the ISFA.

1 hour 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.

The simple act of entering at the top of the 100 level, versus entering below everything will alter that perception a ton.

1 hour ago, fathom said:

I thought the rumor was JR is ok with this

It doesn't happen if he isn't.

39 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

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

Oh man, a ballgame booze cruise? That would be spectacular.

2 hours 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.

I lived in Bridgeport and love the neighborhood, but the fact is that the teams been there for a hundred years and there’s f*** all to do after a game or before a game.

1 hour 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?

Rumor has it that 14th St is only about 2 miles north of 35th St and is still south of Madison St.

52 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

My wife sat in row 29 which was the top row for the 1993 Division clincher against the Mariners. We never left our seats for the entire game plus the celebration afterwards.

I was at that game.

1 hour 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.

Definitely. I haven't been up since....I don't even remember what year it was, it was still pre-Sponsorship names and it definitely felt bland.

1 hour ago, The Mighty Mite said:

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

Its too high and its too steep. Its awful up there. The solution is to have more rows of seats on the lower level. Thats what Pittsburgh did with their stadium.

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

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!

Having 40% of the seats in the upper level was crazy.

32 minutes ago, soxrwhite said:

I was at that game.

That was the Bo Jackson game when he hit a pop up to left field for a home that took forever to land in the seats.

10 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Having 40% of the seats in the upper level was crazy.

2 levels of suites and the club level did it, that was strictly JR greed.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by The Mighty Mite

38 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Rumor has it that 14th St is only about 2 miles north of 35th St and is still south of Madison St.

Might as well be in Canada.

12 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

Having 40% of the seats in the upper level was crazy.

It was an even worse percentage before the 2000s renovations. There are 8 fewer rows in the upper deck and they added some extra seats in the 100 level when they did that overhaul.

The problem is, you really can't renovate your way out of having 40% of your seats in the 500 level at this point. Maybe you could add some seats in a RF "home run porch" like had been rumored during the last renovation, but even then those would be outfield seats. It wouldn't move the needle that much on % of seats that are a tough sell.

Paul Sullivan has an article on today's ballpark news. Given how much he's lambasted the Sox over the last 3 decades for their ballpark and attendance, I'm surprise he wasn't gushing over this news.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/05/justin-ishbia-chicago-white-sox-ballpark/

He brings up a couple of interesting items. Be prepared to groan at the 2nd item below.

"The renderings don’t show any parking, but a spokesman for Ishbia noted it’s too early in the process and “all those issues and details will be ironed out if (the Sox) decide this is where we want to go.”

"Some close to Reinsdorf have indicated he wants to be the Sox’s owner in 2033, when MLB is expected to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the All-Star Game at Sox stadium, wherever that may be"

"Ishbia’s spokesperson said the architect has not been chosen and the renderings are a representation of a modern-day ballpark. It could look completely different if it gets built."

Edited September 5Sep 5 by 77 Hitmen

The renderings are just a VERY vague idea of what is being proposed...that is all! Hell...there is a set of lights directly behind home plate! That isn't happening! The story is WHERE Mr Ishbia is planning to build...and what he planning to build! Critiquing the renderings is a waste of time at the moment...the vision is there...it is going to happen...and it is going to be spectacular!

Looked to see how pissed off Tray would be and it didn't disappoint.

9 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

"Ishbia’s spokesperson said the architect has not been chosen and the renderings are a representation of a modern-day ballpark. It could look completely different if it gets built."

That explains the lack of exploding scoreboard and pinwheels.

Although it could look completely different, I wonder which elements will carry over. I’d have to think the direction of the stadium and the narrow right field for splash hits will remain.

I do hope the final design caps the railroad, though. Even though the pedestrian bridges are nice, covering the railyard entirely would make the whole development look much better.

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Paul Sullivan has an article on today's ballpark news. Given how much he's lambasted the Sox over the last 3 decades for their ballpark and attendance, I'm surprise he wasn't gushing over this news.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/05/justin-ishbia-chicago-white-sox-ballpark/

He brings up a couple of interesting items. Be prepared to groan at the 2nd item below.

"The renderings don’t show any parking, but a spokesman for Ishbia noted it’s too early in the process and “all those issues and details will be ironed out if (the Sox) decide this is where we want to go.”

"Some close to Reinsdorf have indicated he wants to be the Sox’s owner in 2033, when MLB is expected to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the All-Star Game at Sox stadium, wherever that may be"

"Ishbia’s spokesperson said the architect has not been chosen and the renderings are a representation of a modern-day ballpark. It could look completely different if it gets built."

If nothing else, the drawings show the Sox understand the failings of New Comiskey. That gives me hope.

The proof of his evil

"The Railyards is about turning idle land into opportunity," Ishbia said in a release. "... This is a Chicago project, built by and for Chicagoans, and we are excited about its potential."

YOU BASTARD, HOW DARE YOU!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/05/justin-ishbia-chicago-white-sox-ballpark/