City Council OKs More Cubs' Night Games, Pushing Back Wrigley Walls
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said the Cubs need to get started on their project to renovate Wrigley Field, now that the City Council has approved several items on the owners' wish list for the project.
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, in a series of votes at Wednesday's council meeting, aldermen gave the Cubs permission to host 35 night games at Wrigley next year – and up to eight more if national TV networks request additional prime time games.
The team also can place an arch over Clark Street, and expand the walls on Waveland and Sheffield as part of their plan for a new video board and new advertising signs in the outfield.
Council OKs More Night Games, Moving Wrigley Walls
Tunney said, with those measures in place, it's time for the Ricketts family to break ground on their $300 million Wrigley renovation project and $200 million hotel development.
"They need to do the renovation … to be at Wrigley Field, to be in the city of Chicago, and to be in the Lakeview neighborhood, which has been phenomenally supportive," Tunney said
The mayor said he pretty much agrees.
"It is a little cold out there right now, but that's it," he said. "They need to get started, and I was clear and unambiguous with ownership about that even prior to today's City Council action."
The Cubs, however, have suggested more discussion is needed – particularly with the owners of rooftop clubs whose views of Wrigley would be impacted by the new video screen and advertising signs.
