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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)<\/p>\nGary officials have identified three locations in the city for a potential Chicago Bears stadium, according to a proposal announced Friday.<\/p>\n
With Indiana legislation filed to support financing a Northwest Indiana stadium, Gary officials identified three \u201cplug-and-play\u201d sites: Gary West End Entertainment District, Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach, according to a press release.<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
The Gary West End site has 400 acres of land and access to Interstate 80\/94, and it\u2019s near the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the future Lake County Convention Center and the Little Calumet River.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Miller Beach Site has 760 acres of land next to the Indiana Dunes National Park. It\u2019s the largest site available, near nature preserves and large recreational areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in 1994, the Chicago Bears saw potential in Gary, and we have never forgotten that vote of confidence,\u201d said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in the statement. \u201cThirty years later, Gary is even better positioned. Gary\u2019s proposal gives the Bears the tax certainty and stability that the organization says is key to success.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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)<\/p>\n
Gary argued that its city is closer to Chicago \u2014 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\u2019s been missing since 2015 when Allegiant Airlines departed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA move to Gary isn\u2019t just about a building. It\u2019s about building a dynasty,\u201d Melton said. \u201cNo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s tax.<\/p>\n
The bill offers a financial framework \u201cthat Illinois simply cannot match,\u201d according to the press release. The bill \u201ccreates a pathway for the team to control its own destiny without the prohibitive tax burdens and stalled infrastructure talks currently seen in Illinois,\u201d according to the release.<\/p>\n
In response to the new legislation, the Bears quickly issued a statement: \u201cThe legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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)<\/p>\n
Gary Common Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell said in the statement that Gary is \u201cnot just offering land; we are offering a partner who moves at the speed of business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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,\u201d Barnes-Caldwell said.<\/p>\n
During his State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Mike Braun said given Indiana\u2019s business-centric tax advantages \u201cit\u2019s not surprising\u201d that the Chicago Bears have looked to northwest Indiana to build a stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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\u2019ll work hard to do it. Let\u2019s get it across the finish line,\u201d Braun said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The tour took place Saturday before the Bears\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Arlington Heights officials held a news conference Friday and issued an open letter to Illinois lawmakers urging them to pass a \u201cMega Projects bill\u201d that would let large developers \u2014 not just the Bears \u2014 negotiate long-term property taxes with local schools and other taxing bodies, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our State from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill,\u201d Tinaglia wrote. \u201cThe Chicago Bears should not get special treatment just because they are \u2018the Bears,\u2019 but they shouldn\u2019t have it held against them, either. They should be treated the same as any other entity.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot fumble this opportunity,\u201d Tinaglia said.<\/p>\n
The Chicago Tribune contributed.<\/p>\n