8 hours ago, Falstaff said:

Sox Machine article today, looks like updates on meetings with ISFA and Amtrak.

Amtrak plans to use federal exemptions in building maintenance facility next to Rate Field - Sox Machine

For some reason, the Sox Machine article didn't fully load for me this morning. I didn't see this part earlier:

Amtrak, Canal Edge, and the City of Chicago recently met to discuss the Canal Street Yard project. This letter, obtained by Sox Machine, outlines Amtrak’s position that it’s not subject to state or local zoning, nor needing development approval from Chicago. This would include building permits, site plans, and design review. 

That said, Amtrak has expressed a desire to be a “good partner” with the city and to include it in the feedback process. This includes regular meetings with Amtrak and city departments regarding design and construction, seeking additional input regarding emergency access, fire protection, utilities such as sewer and water, and potential impacts to public streets during construction. 

In the letter, Amtrak states, “Consistent with the federal environmental determination and applicable federal requirements, Amtrak anticipates obtaining any governmental authorization expressly identified in the federal environmental process.” These would be distinct from what the city and the state may have. The lack of an environmental study shared with 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has been a major sticking point and a key reason residents have been rallying against the Amtrak project. 

Although it only need federal approval for their plans, Amtrak states in the letter that it plans to share final designs with the public to provide information. Again, Amtrak outlines its position that it does not need approval from the city to proceed with the maintenance facility.

4 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

For some reason, the Sox Machine article didn't fully load for me this morning. I didn't see this part earlier:

Amtrak, Canal Edge, and the City of Chicago recently met to discuss the Canal Street Yard project. This letter, obtained by Sox Machine, outlines Amtrak’s position that it’s not subject to state or local zoning, nor needing development approval from Chicago. This would include building permits, site plans, and design review. 

That said, Amtrak has expressed a desire to be a “good partner” with the city and to include it in the feedback process. This includes regular meetings with Amtrak and city departments regarding design and construction, seeking additional input regarding emergency access, fire protection, utilities such as sewer and water, and potential impacts to public streets during construction. 

In the letter, Amtrak states, “Consistent with the federal environmental determination and applicable federal requirements, Amtrak anticipates obtaining any governmental authorization expressly identified in the federal environmental process.” These would be distinct from what the city and the state may have. The lack of an environmental study shared with 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has been a major sticking point and a key reason residents have been rallying against the Amtrak project. 

Although it only need federal approval for their plans, Amtrak states in the letter that it plans to share final designs with the public to provide information. Again, Amtrak outlines its position that it does not need approval from the city to proceed with the maintenance facility.

Nothing surprising.

Well, here's one positive about PE/billionaires/corporations:

"As the Seattle's mayor chases her own agenda, CEOs from corporate heavyweights like Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Zillow and Nordstrom are demanding a “credible public-safety plan” that tackles deadly violence, open-air drug markets, and lagging police response times."

nypost.com

On 9/12/2026 at 4:27 PM, southsider2k5 said:

Nothing surprising.

Even though the Amtrak proposed maintenance yard relocation is only the first of many hurdles before a South Loop ballpark becomes a reality, it feels like if this step gets done then a new ballpark is all but happening. Ishbia has said a new stadium would be privately-financed, so that removes the biggest hurdle (state funding). I doubt the city will balk at funding infrastructure for a development with this much private investment. He still needs to close a deal with BNSF for their yard, but that isn't likely to have public opposition.

Oh sure, there are still ways this can fall apart and nothing is guaranteed until there are shovels in the ground. Ishbia doesn't even own the team and may not until 2034. But, it does look like a lot of things are being done to make this happen. Bringing in Northwestern Medicine as another anchor helps, too.

Edited Monday at 04:21 AM3 days by 77 Hitmen

It's the state of Illinois. All hands will be out to receive something. In the end Ishbia will get tired of dealing with the city/county/state political disaster and lease the land for a medical facility or high rise condos. Amtrack is putting their lot in Bridgeport and they can protest all they want. Illinois is just not good at playing politics anymore.

10 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Even though the Amtrak proposed maintenance yard relocation is only the first of many hurdles before a South Loop ballpark becomes a reality, it feels like if this step gets done then a new ballpark is all but happening. Ishbia has said a new stadium would be privately-financed, so that removes the biggest hurdle (state funding). I doubt the city will balk at funding infrastructure for a development with this much private investment. He still needs to close a deal with BNSF for their yard, but that isn't likely to have public opposition.

Oh sure, there are still ways this can fall apart and nothing is guaranteed until there are shovels in the ground. Ishbia doesn't even own the team and may not until 2034. But, it does look like a lot of things are being done to make this happen. Bringing in Northwestern Medicine as another anchor helps, too.

There are absolutely ways this CAN fall apart, but judging by the agencies and cooperation between the directly affected parties, the odds are pretty good that this happens. What form will it take by the time we get there is probably the biggest question, but with Ishbia cooperating with Amtrak and the like, I am not sure what could stop it, except maybe a Worldcom/Enron type financial meltdown.

https://archive.is/J43sN

Article from Crain’s about next steps for Rate Field. Not a lot of new information, though still a good read. Much of this reaffirms ideas that have already been mentioned throughout this thread.

Midwest Maintenance Facility

Midwest Maintenance Facility

Amtrak and Canal Edge are building a modern maintenance facility to support passenger rail in Chicago and across the Midwest.

Also, I found this site through that Crain’s article. This contains the most publicly-available information officially endorsed by Amtrak so far, even detailing the rough size/layout of the maintenance facilities.

12 minutes ago, Mouthsider said:

https://archive.is/J43sN

Article from Crain’s about next steps for Rate Field. Not a lot of new information, though still a good read. Much of this reaffirms ideas that have already been mentioned throughout this thread.

I had NOT seen the Sox have an option year on the stadium for 2030. That's new to me at least.

Also the updated figure of $44.1 million left on the bonds seems pretty small, and I doubt it ends up being an obstruction. They don't list the amortization schedule for it, but between them still having 3 (well really 4) years to still pay on it, I am guessing that it will be either gone, or close enough to gone to not matter, by the time that the new stadium rolls around.

11 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I had NOT seen the Sox have an option year on the stadium for 2030. That's new to me at least.

Also the updated figure of $44.1 million left on the bonds seems pretty small, and I doubt it ends up being an obstruction. They don't list the amortization schedule for it, but between them still having 3 (well really 4) years to still pay on it, I am guessing that it will be either gone, or close enough to gone to not matter, by the time that the new stadium rolls around.

Yeah, that's basically the price Jordan Hicks's current contract and, as you said, it'll certainly be lower than $44M in another 3 or 4 years. If not zero, then maybe $20M or so. The Rate Field debt is very likely a non-issue. If the city/state wanted to condition any infrastructure package with having the Sox pay down that debt, I can't imagine that would be a deal breaker.

Edited Monday at 03:42 PM3 days by 77 Hitmen

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I had NOT seen the Sox have an option year on the stadium for 2030. That's new to me at least.

My bad. I mentally listed that under “ideas that have already been mentioned”, since they’ll likely need to extend their lease til 2033ish.

9 minutes ago, Mouthsider said:

My bad. I mentally listed that under “ideas that have already been mentioned”, since they’ll likely need to extend their lease til 2033ish.

Fair.

Argh, I don't have any links to post but I thought I heard on one of the podcasts that the Sox could get an extra year for 2030. I would think the ISFA would gladly provide an extension at new rates.

23 minutes ago, Falstaff said:

Argh, I don't have any links to post but I thought I heard on one of the podcasts that the Sox could get an extra year for 2030. I would think the ISFA would gladly provide an extension at new rates.

It’s mentioned in the Crain’s article above. I also agree that I don’t see why they couldn’t get a short term extension from ISFA if a stadium wouldn’t be ready by 2031.

Any potential reuse or redevelopment of Rate Field and its environs is also years away. The team has an option to extend its lease with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority — which owns and operates the ballpark — through the 2030 season, and it could ink a short-term deal for more time as its future home comes into focus.

33 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

Does this mean lot C is NOT going to be used, or they just haven't announced what is happening there?

2 hours ago, Sleepy Harold said:

It looks like those access points already exist if I'm seeing it correctly on Google Maps. If so, they wouldn't be building these ramps onto the existing Lot G. I think the question is how much of Lot G they'd need as a staging area. I suppose this also shows that this was used as a freight yard in the past if those access ramps are already there.

Edited Tuesday at 04:00 PM2 days by 77 Hitmen

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Does this mean lot C is NOT going to be used, or they just haven't announced what is happening there?

It appears Lot C will not be used for access purposes, but I’d guess Amtrak will still require part of it for staging purposes during construction (short-term).

I'm reading everywhere about whats going to happen to the Rate once the team moves out of there. When the White Sox almost moved to Florida in the late 1980s there was the same conversation about what would happen to the land when Comiskey Park was knocked down. There was talk of a CTA Bus turnaround. Also a bigger facility for IDOT. There was talk of IIT expanding their campus there also.

On 9/10/2026 at 11:43 AM, southsider2k5 said:

I can't help but think, with as little stuff as there is around the baseball experience, what exactly are they losing? I mean if you work at the park, you can still work at the park 2.5 miles away. There isn't some big ballpark experience of shops that depend on the team, which is the whole point of trying to actually create a ballpark village. I know there are a few shops around the team, but it isn't anything like other teams, and I feel like they are trying to have two things be true at once, which can't.

20 years ago I would be upset that I couldn't walk to the ballpark for a game any time I wanted. Now? Go! Please, move!

Please let me get to and from my house late after a gig without a maddening sea cars all trying to squeeze onto Wenthworth or 37th...

I read where Ishiba was suppose to meet with the Bridgeport citizens last night. Does anybody know what if anything happened?

Edited yesterday at 07:58 PM1 day by WBWSF

41 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I read where Ishiba was suppose to meet with the Bridgeport citizens last night. Does anybody know what if anything happened?

I think the meeting is tomorrow.

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

I read where Ishiba was suppose to meet with the Bridgeport citizens last night. Does anybody know what if anything happened?

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

I think the meeting is tomorrow.

Per Alderman Nicole Lee, the meeting will be tomorrow at 6:30pm in the Pui Tak Center. Ishbia and Amtrak representatives will be there. Exciting stuff.

56 minutes ago, Mouthsider said:

Per Alderman Nicole Lee, the meeting will be tomorrow at 6:30pm in the Pui Tak Center. Ishbia and Amtrak representatives will be there. Exciting stuff.

I'm surprised that Ishiba is going to the meeting. I would imagine its going to be a very hostile crowd.

2 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I'm surprised that Ishiba is going to the meeting. I would imagine its going to be a very hostile crowd.

Let's see if he has a defter political touch than JR...