4 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

It is surreal watching a real determined owner with real resources, instead of someone willing to take the biggest handout they can get. Ishbia seems determined to make this a top notch experience that Sox fans deserve. One that will grow the base instead of being stuck in some antiquated myth of a quickly disappearing past

It's very interesting to watch all the 3D chess moves toward making a new ballpark a reality. Lots of players involved: Amtrak, BNSF, Northwestern Medicine, federal grants, federal loans plus buying up additional land at the periphery of the railyard. All this going on while JR is still 100% in charge of this team such that Ishbia's plans can't be seen as undermining/usurping Jerry's authority.......and all of this without any veiled threats of relocation or requests for public money for a stadium.

I know this will draw the ire of a certain poster, but I'd rather stick to discussing reality and not some delusional rants. There's certainly a valid opinion by some fans that the Sox should stay in Bridgeport. What happens to tailgating? How does this affect people who drive to the game? They've been at the current location for over a century, what about that history? How does that Amtrak facility affect Bridgeport residents? All valid concerns, but the last 30 years has shown the limits on this franchise if they stay put. Even after 2005, it only took a few years for that attendance bump to fade away....even with a 2008 division title.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by 77 Hitmen

1 minute ago, 77 Hitmen said:

It's very interesting to watch all the 3D chess moves toward making a new ballpark a reality. Lots of players involved: Amtrak, BNSF, Northwestern Medicine, federal grants, federal loans plus buying up additional land at the periphery of the railyard. All this going on while JR is still 100% in charge of this team such that Ishbia's plans can't be seen as undermining/usurping Jerry's authority.......and all of this without any veiled threats of relocation or requests for public money for a stadium.

I know this will draw the ire of a certain poster, but I'd rather stick to discussing reality and not some delusional rants. There's certainly a valid opinion by some fans that the Sox should stay in Bridgeport. What happens to tailgating? How does this affect people who drive to the game? They've been at the current location for over a century, what about that history? All valid concerns, but the last 30 years has shown the limits on this franchise if they stay put. Even after 2005, it only took a few years for that attendance bump to fade away....even with a 2008 division title.

This is what makes these moves all of the more impressive. What Ishbia is pulling off is COMPLICATED. He's out there pulling together work with agencies and firms that are notoriously hard to work with. Hell dude is EMBARRASSING the Bears, and is probably getting Warren fired as he runs laps around his achievements. And there will be plenty of time for little details as time dictates. Right now is the time for big picture plans. We can pick out our parking spots later.

Chicago Sun-Times

City Council grills Amtrak over proposed Bridgeport rail...

Members of the city's Transportation Committee grilled representatives for Amtrak and Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia, who plans to build a Sox stadium on the current Amtrak site.