The new agreement will allow the Cubs to hold 12 special events in the plaza each yearGETTY IMAGES
A plan for the Cubs-owned Gallagher Way plaza next to Wrigley Field to "continue holding events cleared a City Council committee," according to John Byrne of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney yesterday "agreed to allow the team to sell liquor in the plaza, in addition to the beer and wine that have been sold there for the past three years." It will be "easier for the team to host smaller events there without needing permits, under the proposal." The Cubs still want people "without tickets to be allowed into the plaza on the days of games and Wrigley Field concerts, something Tunney has rejected because tavern owners in the area worry it would pull patrons from their establishments" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/9). In Chicago, Fran Spielman notes the agreement will allow the Cubs to "hold 12 'high-impact special events' each year that draw more than 1,000 people." The Cubs also "would be free to hold a virtually unlimited number of smaller events at the plaza." Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said the ordinance "does most of what we need" and team officials "appreciate the progress we've made" with Tunney. However, he added that the Ricketts family "did not get all it wants or deserves." Green: "We are still puzzled as to why we are being restricted to keep neighbors with no tickets out of a free park and end alcohol sales one hour after games when we have clearly demonstrated we are a responsible operator" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/9).
