Report: Mayor Supports Cubs' Plan To Renovate Wrigley
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Cubs' $300 million plan to renovate Wrigley Field reportedly has early support from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, but could face opposition from the owners of rooftop bars across the street, and the alderman allied with them.
The Cubs unveiled their renovation plan for the stadium over the weekend at the Cubs Convention, including new concession stands, removal of the upper deck roof, new seating platforms, replacement of the concrete in the lower seating bowl.
The renovation would also add underground batting tunnels behind the dugouts, expanded clubhouses.
Unlike previous plans for renovating the stadium, the Cubs are not seeking any additional amusement tax financing to pay for the plan. Crain's Chicago Business reports the proposal has preliminary backing from the mayor, after extensive negotiations between the Cubs and the Emanuel administration.
The team also wants more signs inside the stadium to help fund the renovation, which likely would draw opposition from the owners of rooftop bars across the street, since more signs likely would obstruct views from those clubs. Both the clubs and Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) reportedly would oppose any deal that would include more signs that could block views from rooftop clubs.
The team has said construction of all renovations would take place in the offseason, and would not require the Cubs to use another stadium for games during the work.
