Gary officials have identified three locations in the city for a potential Chicago Bears stadium, according to a proposal announced Friday.
With Indiana legislation filed to support financing a Northwest Indiana stadium, Gary officials identified three “plug-and-play” sites: Gary West End Entertainment District, Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach, according to a press release.
A conceptual site plan was released by the City of Gary that shows where a proposed Chicago Bears stadium might be located adjacent to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana and Interstate 80/94. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
The Gary West End site has 400 acres of land and access to Interstate 80/94, and it’s near the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the future Lake County Convention Center and the Little Calumet River.
The Buffington Harbor location has 145 acres of land near Cline Avenue and the Chicago Skyway with access to Amtrak. The waterfront location offers marina and hospitality potential.
The Miller Beach Site has 760 acres of land next to the Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s the largest site available, near nature preserves and large recreational areas.
“Back in 1994, the Chicago Bears saw potential in Gary, and we have never forgotten that vote of confidence,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in the statement. “Thirty years later, Gary is even better positioned. Gary’s proposal gives the Bears the tax certainty and stability that the organization says is key to success.”
This conceptual drawing released by the City of Gary shows a promenade district adjacent to the proposed Chicago Bears stadium. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
Gary argued that its city is closer to Chicago — being only 30 minutes away from downtown compared to Arlington Heights. He also pitched the Gary/Chicago International Airport as an advantage and its location along the waterfront with views of the Chicago skyline, he said. The airport serves as a cargo and private aviation airport, but officials have been trying to restore commercial passenger service that’s been missing since 2015 when Allegiant Airlines departed.
Gary also offers access to the South Shore Commuter Rail line, Interstates 80/94, 65 and 90, Gary Public Transit, according to the press release.
“A move to Gary isn’t just about a building. It’s about building a dynasty,” Melton said. “No other location offers this combination of proximity, identity alignment, and iconic visual connection to Chicago. Unlike Arlington Heights, we have support of local, county and state leaders.”
Senate Bill 27, authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, and Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, would establish a Northwest Indiana stadium authority for the purpose of acquiring and financing a sports stadium.
A map released by the City of Gary lists three sites for a potential Chicago Bears stadium: a 400-acre site on the Gary’s southwest side, next to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; a 145-acre site at Buffington Harbor; and a 760-acre site in Miller Beach, next to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. (Map provided by the City of Gary)
The bill would require a National Football League team to enter into a lease for the stadium for at least 35 years. After the term of the lease, the lessee would have the option to purchase the capital improvement for $1 if certain conditions are met.
Under the bill, the authority could issue bonds, and the lease rental payments could be made from local excise taxes, food and beverage tax and innkeeper’s tax.
The bill offers a financial framework “that Illinois simply cannot match,” according to the press release. The bill “creates a pathway for the team to control its own destiny without the prohibitive tax burdens and stalled infrastructure talks currently seen in Illinois,” according to the release.
In response to the new legislation, the Bears quickly issued a statement: “The legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland’s Northwest Indiana region. We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor (Mike) Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively.”
This concept drawing provided by the City of Gary shows how a proposed Chicago Bears stadium and entertainment district would fit on 400 acres next to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
Gary Common Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell said in the statement that Gary is “not just offering land; we are offering a partner who moves at the speed of business.”
“With the backing of the statehouse and the specific tools provided by Senate Bill 27, we are ready to break ground while others are still breaking promises,” Barnes-Caldwell said.
During his State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Mike Braun said given Indiana’s business-centric tax advantages “it’s not surprising” that the Chicago Bears have looked to northwest Indiana to build a stadium.
“We are working hard to bring the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier state so they can really see what a great place is to have a business. We’ll work hard to do it. Let’s get it across the finish line,” Braun said.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey took NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on a tour of the Arlington Heights site the team owns, and two sites in northwest Indiana, including one near Wolf Lake in Hammond, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The tour took place Saturday before the Bears’ epic come-from-behind victory over the archrival Packers. The visit is significant because the National Football League may loan $200 million or more for the stadium project, if it is approved by league owners, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Arlington Heights officials called Friday for Illinois lawmakers to move forward with a proposed new Chicago Bears stadium in the northwest suburb. Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned without legislation to let the Bears negotiate property taxes for the stadium, the team may move to Indiana, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Arlington Heights officials held a news conference Friday and issued an open letter to Illinois lawmakers urging them to pass a “Mega Projects bill” that would let large developers — not just the Bears — negotiate long-term property taxes with local schools and other taxing bodies, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“We must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our State from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill,” Tinaglia wrote. “The Chicago Bears should not get special treatment just because they are ‘the Bears,’ but they shouldn’t have it held against them, either. They should be treated the same as any other entity.”
Without the bill, the Bears might be on the hook for an annual tax bill of $100 million to $200 million, which would kill the deal, Tinaglia said.
“We cannot fumble this opportunity,” Tinaglia said.
The Chicago Tribune contributed.