Ivy League: Wrigley Field Could Be In Line For $400M Renovation
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ISFA Chair Says Wrigley Field
Could Receive $350-400M Face-Lift |
Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) Chair James Thompson said that Wrigley Field "could get a face-lift worth" $350-400M if the ISFA purchases the ballpark from Tribune Co. Owner Sam Zell, according to Kathy Bergen of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Thompson said that upgrades to Wrigley could include concrete repairs, upgraded concessions, added seats, widened concourses, parking, and neighborhood improvements. Thompson said that the ISFA will "put forward a bid to finance acquisition and repair of [Wrigley] at no additional cost to taxpayers," though he did not specify a price. Thompson: "The public would get a restored Wrigley Field, the most iconic baseball field in America, at no cost. If I can't sell it at no cost to the taxpayer I'm not much of a salesman" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/5).
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Daley (r) Unlikely To Relax Historical
Landmark Status Of Wrigley Field |
HISTORY LESSON: In Chicago, Gary Washburn reports Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was skeptical of "altering Wrigley Field's landmark status and said proponents face a hard sell pitching a financing plan that would use local sales-tax revenue to help pay" for renovations. Daley said Wrigley Field is "historical" and its landmark status came a few years ago because "people wanted it." Daley: "There were concessions on both sides, both the city ... and the Chicago Tribune. All of a sudden they want to change that." Daley added that diverting any sales-tax revenue to a Wrigley renovation would "deprive the city of money it needs, making that proposition 'very challenging and difficult to do.'" Daley also indicated that there are "more important things for government to deal with than a Cubs overture to increase the number of night games at the ballpark" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/5). More Daley: "I'm not going to be the mayor saying, 'OK, we're going to relax on the historic aspect of Wrigley Field. Mayor Daley says it'll be torn down.' ... I'm not going to do that." Daley added that he does not "buy the argument that Wrigley can't be modernized and turned into a 'productive ballpark' without lifting landmark status" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/5).
GAME OF RISK: In Chicago, Mary Ellen Podmolik wrote of a potential Wrigley Field naming rights deal, "Doing anything more than getting the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. to pay for what it's gotten for free for 80 years represents an extraordinary marketing opportunity that also risks alienating the public." The qualities that "make Wrigley unique -- the historic, landmarked ballpark, a national fan base and even a surrounding neighborhood named for the stadium -- may thwart suitors." U.S. Cellular Field CMO Alan Ferber, who helped negotiate the ballpark's naming rights deal, said: "They'll have a really big public relations risk. I think it's a minefield for anyone to step in it" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/4).
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