Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build next to Soldier Field?

[JP4CY]

Understand the need for a new field/stadium but they will definitely build a dome which is lame. Football needs to be played outside.

I really so get that point, I really do but it sure is nice to not have to layer the **** up to go to a Vikings game especially if children are with.
Hop right off the train and a couple minutes later you're in.

With retractable domes to me, I thinks it's lame when it's above like mid 50s and just not having it open.

 

[exCyDing]

I always liked the location right in the city. When we lived there my office had a southeast view with Soldier Field and the lake in the background. Sentimental.

The location can't be beat...on TV. The backdrop with the city skyline is amazing. It pains me to say it, but it's probably best for the Bears build a new stadium away from the lakefront.

 

[KnappShack]

I really so get that point, I really do but it sure is nice to not have to layer the **** up to go to a Vikings game especially if children are with.
Hop right off the train and a couple minutes later you're in.

With retractable domes to me, I thinks it's lame when it's above like mid 50s and just not having it open.

I've only been to the Lucas Oil stadium for a game. Hella cold so the roof was closed.

I thought it would be lame to not be in the elements for a football game, but it was very very nice sitting in a warm arena vs the ******** that was happening outside that day.

Now the domes do a much better job of bringing in light. They aren't like caverns. The stadium in Minnesota looks like an outdoor event on TV. They seem to have hit a home run with that ballpark

 

[JP4CY]

I've only been to the Lucas Oil stadium for a game. Hella cold so the roof was closed.

I thought it would be lame to not be in the elements for a football game, but it was very very nice sitting in a warm arena vs the ******** that was happening outside that day.

Now the domes do a much better job of bringing in light. They aren't like caverns. The stadium in Minnesota looks like an outdoor event on TV. They seem to have hit a home run with that ballpark

US Bank is so nice with that train station.
You can stay downtown, by the MoA, etc. Very handy.

 

[4cy16]

Arlington Heights Bears, it has certain ring to it.

 

[drmwevr08]

I see no reason to sit outside when its ******* freezing. I even liked the metrodome!
Going to the burbs kinda sucks though.

 

[JP4CY]

I see no reason to sit outside when its ******* freezing. I even liked the metrodome!
Going to the burbs kinda sucks though.

Teams want to make football now a "weekend" event instead of a Sunday afternoon.
They want the bars, restaurants, and hotels around the stadium.

 

[KnappShack]

Teams want to make football now a "weekend" event instead of a Sunday afternoon.
They want the bars, restaurants, and hotels around the stadium.

And off season. I'm really not sure what a Bears Village in Arlington Heights would have to bring me to the area.

It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Would I make a special trip to a Ditka's next to the stadium? Team shop?

No clue

 

[nfrine]

I always liked the location right in the city. When we lived there my office had a southeast view with Soldier Field and the lake in the background. Sentimental.

Kind of like historic Kinnick Stadium...the bad location does not help Soldiers Field either.

 

[JP4CY]

And off season. I'm really not sure what a Bears Village in Arlington Heights would have to bring me to the area.

It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Would I make a special trip to a Ditka's next to the stadium? Team shop?

No clue

Soldier Field does have a lot of big shows: U2, Rolling Stones, Elton John, RHCP. Maybe there would be more of those at the new place, I dunno?
Hindsight, maybe the city should just have not been sentimental and did a complete bulldoze of Solider Field and had the Bears play a couple seasons at Illinois.

 

[KnappShack]

Soldier Field does have a lot of big shows: U2, Rolling Stones, Elton John, RHCP. Maybe there would be more of those at the new place, I dunno?
Hindsight, maybe the city should just have not been sentimental and did a complete bulldoze of Solider Field and had the Bears play a couple seasons at Illinois.

That's a good point. Shows and events would be a draw. I was thinking about those days that don't have a reason to be there.

I believe the United Center typically has something going on 200-ish days a year. Not sure if Arlington Heights would get close to that number.

Wonder if they've thought about horse racing....

 

[GoldCy]

If you want to do business in Chicago you get on your knees and grovel in front of the union leaders. After you agree to their demands you can approach the city.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

That's a good point. Shows and events would be a draw. I was thinking about those days that don't have a reason to be there.

I believe the United Center typically has something going on 200-ish days a year. Not sure if Arlington Heights would get close to that number.

Wonder if they've thought about horse racing....

They'll get Final Fours, WrestleManias and stadium concerts. The Bears are going to pull in money hand over fist.

 

[JP4CY]

They'll get Final Fours, WrestleManias and stadium concerts. The Bears are going to pull in money hand over fist.

Not far from OHare either.

 

[Boxerdaddy]

As mentioned, Soldier Field is visually a beautiful location. What is it that makes it a terrible location? Logistics? I've been there but don't remember any really bad traffic as we got there early and stayed late tailgating. Do they have a dedicated subway stop? If not and they could add it, would that do it? I know they've always had issues with the grass because it is managed by the city instead of the club.

 

[exCyDing]

As mentioned, Soldier Field is visually a beautiful location. What is it that makes it a terrible location? Logistics? I've been there but don't remember any really bad traffic as we got there early and stayed late tailgating. Do they have a dedicated subway stop? If not and they could add it, would that do it? I know they've always had issues with the grass because it is managed by the city instead of the club.

I lived just west of Soldier Field for 8 years.

There's a Metra (train) station very close to the Stadium, but it only serves the southern suburbs. The closest L is the Roosevelt station about 1 mile away. Traffic generally sucks more on gameday, that's for sure. Going to/from north or west to/from the stadium necessitates going through the Loop one way or another which is...yeah...slow on a good day with multiple bottlenecks.

Parking is relatively limited directly around the stadium and the adjoining neighborhoods are very dense. There simply isn't a lot of space to park and walk.

The Bears have two things they really want.

First, the Bears want to own their own stadium, as most NFL teams do. By owning the stadium, they can generate additional revenue on non-game days. The City of Chicago Parks Dept owns Soldier Field, so the revenue from any non-Bears events go to their coffers, not the Bears.

Second, the Bears want to be able to develop the area around their stadium like SoFi in LA or Jerryworld. This is another huge potential revenue stream for the team from hotels, bars, shops, other venues, etc.

Soldier Field is owned by the city and is situated in a park. Long-standing city laws and traditions prohibit development on the lakefront, basically anything east of Lakeshore Drive. On the rare occasion the City wants to cross that line, there are tons of citizen groups that will fight it tooth and nail to the death. George Lucas basically wanted to give the city a museum about 8 years ago, but only if he could build it just south of Soldier Field. It eventually got shut down - there were other issues, but the city ultimately said no to that location and he wouldn't accept an alternative.

 

[Boxerdaddy]

I lived just west of Soldier Field for 8 years.

There's a Metra (train) station very close to the Stadium, but it only serves the southern suburbs. The closest L is the Roosevelt station about 1 mile away. Traffic generally sucks more on gameday, that's for sure. Going to/from north or west to/from the stadium necessitates going through the Loop one way or another which is...yeah...slow on a good day with multiple bottlenecks.

Parking is relatively limited directly around the stadium and the adjoining neighborhoods are very dense. There simply isn't a lot of space to park and walk.

The Bears have two things they really want.

First, the Bears want to own their own stadium, as most NFL teams do. By owning the stadium, they can generate additional revenue on non-game days. The City of Chicago Parks Dept owns Soldier Field, so the revenue from any non-Bears events go to their coffers, not the Bears.

Second, the Bears want to be able to develop the area around their stadium like SoFi in LA or Jerryworld. This is another huge potential revenue stream for the team from hotels, bars, shops, other venues, etc.

Soldier Field is owned by the city and is situated in a park. Long-standing city laws and traditions prohibit development on the lakefront, basically anything east of Lakeshore Drive. On the rare occasion the City wants to cross that line, there are tons of citizen groups that will fight it tooth and nail to the death. George Lucas basically wanted to give the city a museum about 8 years ago, but only if he could build it just south of Soldier Field. It eventually got shut down - there were other issues, but the city ultimately said no to that location and he wouldn't accept an alternative.

Excellent response, thank you!

 

[CloneGuy8]

Half of the teams in the NFL play in the burbs. Not that big of a deal.

 

[drmwevr08]

Half of the teams in the NFL play in the burbs. Not that big of a deal.

That's not the point but thanks for weighing in.

 

[JP4CY]