“The 78” + "The Railyard" = the future of the Sox and Fire

5 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Exactly. It looks like they could get working on clearing the Amtrak site as early as late spring 2028 or maybe fall '28/early '29 at the latest. I don't know what the timing is for BNSF getting a new Metra maintenance yard built (at 14th and Western) since all that's been reported so far is that Canal Edge is in advanced talks to buy that part of the property. But, there's no controversy regarding a possible relocation of the BNSF yard. Getting a new stadium built in time for the 2033 All Star Game certainly looks doable.

It's also noteworthy that the FRA found insignificant impacts. That's not the same as zero impacts on local residents, but I don't see a legal basis for the city taking legal action to block this. As I (and others) said, Amtrak moving their maintenance yard is only the first hurdle to clear before a South Loop ballpark becomes reality, but it sure seems like the biggest one.

And it looks like if they build a soundproof barrier type of thing, that the biggest impact is considered legally mitigated.