Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday said that there is a "deal to be made" between the Cubs and local rooftop owners that would generate the $300M needed to renovate Wrigley Field "if only the competing parties would 'seize it,'" according to Fran Spielman of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. A "frustrated" Emanuel had hoped to "nail down an elusive agreement on the Cubs request to lift restrictions on outfield signs and night games and open Sheffield Avenue for street fairs on game days in time to introduce an ordinance authorizing more night games" at yesterday’s City Council meeting. He was "prepared to lift the 30-night games-per-season ceiling to the 37-to-44 range, with some of the dates reserved for concerts." Additional 3:05pm CT starts also could "be part of the mix." But the meeting yesterday "came and went with no night game ordinance because there is no agreement on the stickier issue of stadium signs that threaten to block the rooftops birdseye view." Emanuel said, "We’re not gonna break off a piece as it relates to that ordinance, which is on night games. It’s all one piece. We’re gonna do this comprehensively. There’s an agreement to be had. It’s right there. All you need is a little leadership and a little will." Spielman notes when Emanuel was "pressed to pinpoint the hangup," he "refused to negotiate in public." City Alderman Tom Tunney said that he "won't lift the 30-game ceiling on night games unless it's part of a larger deal." Tunney said, "It’s a lot more detailed than just night games. It’s night games. It’s signage. It’s hotels. It’s public safety. There’s so many things" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/14).
