[TheAthletic] New Bears stadium on Chicago lakefront now the priority, says Kevin Warren
March 26, 2024
[TheAthletic] New Bears stadium on Chicago lakefront now the priority, says Kevin Warren
22 comments
ORLANDO, Fla. — Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren made one thing very clear Tuesday morning at the NFL owners’ meetings: building a new stadium in Chicago on the lakefront is now the priority for the team — not Arlington Park.
“The plan will be to put a shovel in the ground on the lakefront,” Warren said.
He said a plan, including renderings and video, will be released in the near future.
Despite the Bears’ $197.2 million purchase of a 326-acre plot of land in suburban Arlington Heights, Warren said the team is focused on bringing a state-of-the-art stadium to Chicago. It would be located on the Waldron Deck and south parking lot land. Soldier Field would be demolished, except for the collonades, creating more green space on the Museum Campus.
“I strongly believe that we’re building momentum to that museum area,” he said.
“It will set this city up for greatness for the next 100 years,” he said. “If you go back and look at the Daniel Burnham plan from 1932, you’re talking about a vision. He set the vision for the World’s Fair. And everything is in place. I think the area at the museum campus is the most beautiful piece of property in the country that we’ll be able to build a campus together with the museums, with the stadium, with the lake, with the downtown on the backdrop, and to be able to enjoy Chicago like we should be able to enjoy Chicago.”
Warren played a major role in helping the Vikings build U.S. Bank Stadium, a domed venue considered one of the best in the NFL. He envisions something similar for the Bears.
“We have a unique opportunity to build a world-class, fixed-roof stadium,” he said, “To bid for the Super Bowl, to bid for the Final Four, to bid for college events, to bid for concert events, and then all the other mega events that come into town and the economic impact that this will have on our city because all the other infrastructure is in place.”
In September 2021, the Bears signed a purchase agreement for the Arlington Park racecourse property. The idea was to build a stadium and create a “mixed-use” area full of restaurants, bars and hotels that provide the franchise with more revenue. The deal was finalized in February 2023 and the old horse-racing track was demolished.
But the team has turned its attention back to Chicago as arguments with three school districts over real estate taxes for the Arlington Park land have stalled the suburban project. The Cook County Board of Review recently appraised the land at $125 million. The Bears have argued it should be valued at $60 million. An appeal by the Bears is likely.
“We are the largest landowner in Arlington Heights right now: 326 acres,” Warren said. “We own a beautiful piece of land. And I have great respect for Mayor (Thomas) Hayes and Randy Recklaus and all of the politicians there. My belief right now, these projects are incredibly difficult. And just learning the various things that I did in Minnesota, you have to be laser-focused. And right now, we’re putting our energy to downtown Chicago, to the museum campus, just from an energy and resource standpoint. So we still own the land. We’re the largest landowner. We’ll stay in communication with Arlington Heights, but the focus now has to be on Chicago to give us the best opportunity for success.”
Fuck Arlington Heights, put that bitch IN THE CITY
Well, either it’s a noise bluff, and Arlington can look forward to not getting whatever the Bears were going to give them in tax money, …..
But I don’t know with their issues with the Parks Dept is going to make this easy, and I’m not sure how the franchise value increases to where they would want it without ‘owning’ it, …
so… I don’t know. Kevin Warren is doing what he is paid to do.
And that’s fine with me, and I’m just glad it’s not Ted Phillips.
(although lol, this is what Ted Phillips would do….)
I just dont see how the parking issues can be resolved building on the lakefront? If they keep the colonnades, it further limits the space to build a stadium in the south lot? We should be able to tailgate before games but the parking seems to still be an issue with building over there. Yes, the location is gorgeous, but it doesnt work well for a 80k capacity modern NFL stadium. And where would they play for the few years it will take to build the stadium since they wont be able to have games going on at Soldier while the new stadium is being built next door?
They’ll put the stadium in Timbuktu for all they care. The only variable in this equation is $$$.
Lori Lightfoot basically dared the Bears to leave and acted as if she had no interest. The Bears obliged.
It sure seems like the new administration wanted desperately to have the Bears stay and have been much more welcoming.
The Bears should stay in Chicago. That’s really all there is to it. If they move out to the burbs they are the Illinois Bears.
If this isn’t a leverage play, it’s just so incredibly dumb. Yeah, let’s continue making it extremely difficult for our fans to get to a game. Either walk from a mile away in the freezing cold or sit in traffic for 2 hours to pay $100 to park. Real good fan experience.
So we just destroyed the Arlington race track for nothing?!! Smh not cool
I don’t care where the stadium is so long as it’s easier to get there. Parking is a must.
Would be so Bears if they get backed into another publicly owned stadium with no parking.
Wherever they build it I’m just bummed out that it’s not a retractable roof. The weather has been a unique part of the Bears identity. Not that it was some huge advantage, it was just part of who we are. Which seemed right because its such a fundamental part of our city’s identity.
I can’t imagine the Bears not being in the elements any more than I could imagine the Packers becoming a dome team.
He’s lying. This is still just a leverage play. 100% chance they end up in Arlington Heights.
People who are happy about this probably don’t go to many games
>The Cook County Board of Review recently appraised the land at $125 million. The Bears have argued it should be valued at $60 million. **An appeal by the Bears is likely.**
> And right now, we’re putting our energy to downtown Chicago, to the museum campus, **just from an energy and resource standpoint.** So we still own the land. We’re the largest landowner. We’ll stay in communication with Arlington Heights
I’m reading this and thinking leverage play all the way. This is a very carefully crafted statement that leaves the path forward very open ended. Particularly the part where they plan to appeal the valuation.
A downtown stadium would be the worse option for taxpayers.
Too bad the school districts and county had to be so fucking greedy, otherwise all this posturing wouldn’t even be necessary
Surprise, surprise…
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Press X to doubt
Whatever they do don’t pay the bears for it. Fuck those tight wads
As a fan who lives in the suburbs, Arlington would be so much easier to drive to for games and events. But as a Bears fan and a Chicago fan, I understand why it should be in the city. As long as there is plenty of parking and the traffic on game days and events are fixed, keep it on the lake.
Tear down…Chicago Bears…make every play clear the way!
It’s not about leverage; he’s giving politicians cover for when they grant the McCaskeys tax incentives.
22 comments
ORLANDO, Fla. — Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren made one thing very clear Tuesday morning at the NFL owners’ meetings: building a new stadium in Chicago on the lakefront is now the priority for the team — not Arlington Park.
“The plan will be to put a shovel in the ground on the lakefront,” Warren said.
He said a plan, including renderings and video, will be released in the near future.
Despite the Bears’ $197.2 million purchase of a 326-acre plot of land in suburban Arlington Heights, Warren said the team is focused on bringing a state-of-the-art stadium to Chicago. It would be located on the Waldron Deck and south parking lot land. Soldier Field would be demolished, except for the collonades, creating more green space on the Museum Campus.
“I strongly believe that we’re building momentum to that museum area,” he said.
“It will set this city up for greatness for the next 100 years,” he said. “If you go back and look at the Daniel Burnham plan from 1932, you’re talking about a vision. He set the vision for the World’s Fair. And everything is in place. I think the area at the museum campus is the most beautiful piece of property in the country that we’ll be able to build a campus together with the museums, with the stadium, with the lake, with the downtown on the backdrop, and to be able to enjoy Chicago like we should be able to enjoy Chicago.”
Warren played a major role in helping the Vikings build U.S. Bank Stadium, a domed venue considered one of the best in the NFL. He envisions something similar for the Bears.
“We have a unique opportunity to build a world-class, fixed-roof stadium,” he said, “To bid for the Super Bowl, to bid for the Final Four, to bid for college events, to bid for concert events, and then all the other mega events that come into town and the economic impact that this will have on our city because all the other infrastructure is in place.”
In September 2021, the Bears signed a purchase agreement for the Arlington Park racecourse property. The idea was to build a stadium and create a “mixed-use” area full of restaurants, bars and hotels that provide the franchise with more revenue. The deal was finalized in February 2023 and the old horse-racing track was demolished.
But the team has turned its attention back to Chicago as arguments with three school districts over real estate taxes for the Arlington Park land have stalled the suburban project. The Cook County Board of Review recently appraised the land at $125 million. The Bears have argued it should be valued at $60 million. An appeal by the Bears is likely.
“We are the largest landowner in Arlington Heights right now: 326 acres,” Warren said. “We own a beautiful piece of land. And I have great respect for Mayor (Thomas) Hayes and Randy Recklaus and all of the politicians there. My belief right now, these projects are incredibly difficult. And just learning the various things that I did in Minnesota, you have to be laser-focused. And right now, we’re putting our energy to downtown Chicago, to the museum campus, just from an energy and resource standpoint. So we still own the land. We’re the largest landowner. We’ll stay in communication with Arlington Heights, but the focus now has to be on Chicago to give us the best opportunity for success.”
Fuck Arlington Heights, put that bitch IN THE CITY
Well, either it’s a noise bluff, and Arlington can look forward to not getting whatever the Bears were going to give them in tax money, …..
But I don’t know with their issues with the Parks Dept is going to make this easy, and I’m not sure how the franchise value increases to where they would want it without ‘owning’ it, …
so… I don’t know. Kevin Warren is doing what he is paid to do.
And that’s fine with me, and I’m just glad it’s not Ted Phillips.
(although lol, this is what Ted Phillips would do….)
I just dont see how the parking issues can be resolved building on the lakefront? If they keep the colonnades, it further limits the space to build a stadium in the south lot? We should be able to tailgate before games but the parking seems to still be an issue with building over there. Yes, the location is gorgeous, but it doesnt work well for a 80k capacity modern NFL stadium. And where would they play for the few years it will take to build the stadium since they wont be able to have games going on at Soldier while the new stadium is being built next door?
They’ll put the stadium in Timbuktu for all they care. The only variable in this equation is $$$.
Lori Lightfoot basically dared the Bears to leave and acted as if she had no interest. The Bears obliged.
It sure seems like the new administration wanted desperately to have the Bears stay and have been much more welcoming.
The Bears should stay in Chicago. That’s really all there is to it. If they move out to the burbs they are the Illinois Bears.
If this isn’t a leverage play, it’s just so incredibly dumb. Yeah, let’s continue making it extremely difficult for our fans to get to a game. Either walk from a mile away in the freezing cold or sit in traffic for 2 hours to pay $100 to park. Real good fan experience.
So we just destroyed the Arlington race track for nothing?!! Smh not cool
I don’t care where the stadium is so long as it’s easier to get there. Parking is a must.
Would be so Bears if they get backed into another publicly owned stadium with no parking.
Wherever they build it I’m just bummed out that it’s not a retractable roof. The weather has been a unique part of the Bears identity. Not that it was some huge advantage, it was just part of who we are. Which seemed right because its such a fundamental part of our city’s identity.
I can’t imagine the Bears not being in the elements any more than I could imagine the Packers becoming a dome team.
He’s lying. This is still just a leverage play. 100% chance they end up in Arlington Heights.
People who are happy about this probably don’t go to many games
>The Cook County Board of Review recently appraised the land at $125 million. The Bears have argued it should be valued at $60 million. **An appeal by the Bears is likely.**
> And right now, we’re putting our energy to downtown Chicago, to the museum campus, **just from an energy and resource standpoint.** So we still own the land. We’re the largest landowner. We’ll stay in communication with Arlington Heights
I’m reading this and thinking leverage play all the way. This is a very carefully crafted statement that leaves the path forward very open ended. Particularly the part where they plan to appeal the valuation.
A downtown stadium would be the worse option for taxpayers.
Too bad the school districts and county had to be so fucking greedy, otherwise all this posturing wouldn’t even be necessary
Surprise, surprise…
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Press X to doubt
Whatever they do don’t pay the bears for it. Fuck those tight wads
As a fan who lives in the suburbs, Arlington would be so much easier to drive to for games and events. But as a Bears fan and a Chicago fan, I understand why it should be in the city. As long as there is plenty of parking and the traffic on game days and events are fixed, keep it on the lake.
Tear down…Chicago Bears…make every play clear the way!
It’s not about leverage; he’s giving politicians cover for when they grant the McCaskeys tax incentives.
Leveraging Arlington Heights.