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Facilities Venues

MCCASKEY FLOATS TRIAL BALLOON FOR SETTING FREE THE BEARS

          The Chicago Park District asked the Bears this week to
     commit to another five years at Soldier Field under current
     financial terms if the team wants to extend its lease, which
     expires in '99, according to Mark Brown of the CHICAGO SUN-
     TIMES.  But a Park District official said the team, which is
     looking to extend its lease as new stadium plans remain
     unresolved, is "seeking a shorter lease extension at more
     favorable financial terms than the present lease, which the
     team has called the worst" in the NFL.  The official said
     the Park District "needs the five-year commitment to protect
     taxpayers, whose money is needed every year to make basic
     repairs to the aging stadium" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/27).  
          GREENER PASTURES: Bears President Michael McCaskey said
     Monday that he sees "no hope" of building a new stadium
     downtown, "reigniting the debate over whether the team might
     bolt for the suburbs," according to Kemper & Pierson of the
     CHICAGO TRIBUNE.  But Kemper & Pierson write that suburban
     mayors have said McCaskey will have to finance a facility
     with private funds.  In negotiations over a downtown Chicago
     site, McCaskey offered to help raise $175M in a public-
     private partnership, which would "barely cover half the cost
     of a new stadium" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/27).  A spokesperson
     for IL Gov. Jim Edgar said public funds for a facility would
     only go towards infrastructure improvements, and added that
     there have been no discussions between Edgar's office and
     the Bears since June (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/27).  

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