Landmark Official Allows Cubs To Keep Letters On Wrigley Wall

Landmark Official Allowing Cubs To Keep CBOE Letters On Wrigley Field Wall

Chicago Deputy Commissioner of Landmarks Brian Goeken in a May 28 letter to Cubs Exec VP/Business Operations Mark McGuire "informed the team that it can keep the bright yellow letters spelling out 'CBOE' on Wrigley Field's brick wall, even though the wall is one of several features protected by the ordinance declaring the ballpark an official city landmark," according to Blair Kamin of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The letters, located between the Cubs' dugout and the left field bullpen, "call attention to the new section of premium seats that the Chicago Board Options Exchange won the right to sponsor this year." Goeken said in the letter, "Landmarks staff believes that the letters do not have an adverse effect on the significant historical and architectural features of the ballpark." Goeken added landmarks staff concluded the CBOE letters do not violate the ordinance "given the limited size and number of the letters (and) the temporary and completely reversibly nature of the attachment." Kamin noted the letters are "done in the same color and slightly rounded type as the distance markers on Wrigley's outfield walls." Fans in April "expressed their displeasure with the CBOE letters" on a Chicago Tribune online message board. Historic preservationists "criticized the city's decision, claiming it is part of a broader pattern of lax enforcement of landmark rules" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 5/30).