Soldier Area — techninamey the oldest NFL stadium Inside the nation, Do You’d like To ignore The relaxation room Bowl and stare immediately On the columns, which have been erected in 1924 — Will not play host to its NFL group For a lot prolongeder.
The Chicago Bears snatched up an expansive 326 acres in suburban Chicago this October, dropping a whopping $197 million (a bit mysteriously) on the aptly named horse-racing facility Arlington Park, located in Arlington Heights.
It’s not The primary time the Monsters of Midway acquired here sniffing Throughout the northwest suburb. “The Bears have expressed interelaxation in Arlington Park as early As a Outcome of the mid-Nineteen Seventies,” says Arlington Heights Mightor Tom Hayes.
The private sale isn’t anticipated To close till late 2022, leaving us all chomping On the bit for what comes subsequent.
Outdoors of The approaching turf battle with Chicago Mightor Lori Lightfoot, many hurdles lie forward for the Bears at floor zero, collectively with: getting particular use zoning approval from Mightor Hayes, making it by way of a public discussion board (that I privately can’t wait to attfinish), and allaying taxpayer hesitance on footing the invoice.
Wright hereas any Of these might set off the deal to dissipate, On The prime of the day the property is up On the market and it’s unlikely the ponies will return, so one factor new will go in.
What might It is?
One factor’s for constructive: the land gained’t be used for housing. “Although Which Could Even be allowed, we don’t need it,” says Hayes.
Hayes says the village is “Making an try To place the property to its extremeest and biggest use” They typinamey Have to A minimal of substitute the $1 million in annual income of direct property, gross sales, and completely different tax income from the racing facility.
Born, raised, and presently residing in Arlington Heights, I am pretty Conversant Inside The world — So as the matches spfinish The subsequent few months on paperwork and due diligence, I’ll let my thoughts run wild with various prospects for my neighborhood, as solely a resident can. I talked with the particularists to type out the feasibility of my biggest cas quickly aspts; right here They’re, in order of practicality.
Michael Jordan talking to press at Berto Center after apply
Getty
Option 1: Practice Facility for the Bears, Multi-use Facility for Chicagoland
Mightbe tright here’s a mannequin wright here we don’t get recreation days in Arlington Heights, however we nonetheless get some Bears movement. The Berto Center hosted the Bulls for 22 yrs, turning into synonymous with Off-season ball and setting the gold regular for NBA apply amenities.
Making a complete stadium for the American expert league with the shortest season means The power will sit considerably unused for …….
Source: https://www.insidehook.com/article/chicago/5-alternatives-arlington-park-case-bears-dont-bite