Officials in Chicago are in an effort to persuade the Bears to stay at Soldier Field, and on Sunday morning a future developer announced a number of plans aimed at keeping the team in the city, including Dome. We just released a spectacular new video showcasing our amenities.
Released by a group called the Reimagine Soldier Field Coalition, the video is nearly six minutes long and features a flyby of areas inside and outside the stadium, including new transportation hubs expanding the stadium’s footprint and concert spaces.
The group is spearheaded by Landmark Developments, which has partnered with a number of professional sports franchises, including the Minnesota Vikings, on the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium. The group also assisted in the extensive renovation and redevelopment of Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the construction of MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
A major highlight of the video is the stadium itself, whose proposal centers around a brand new glass dome that will protect the interior from the elements and could attract the interest of various partners, including the NFL, NCAA and concert promoters. The goal is to host the Super Bowl and the Final Four, neither of which are currently possible due to the outdoor nature of the stadium.
In addition to the dome, some new features will be added to the stadium. This includes clubs on both the east and west sides, where fans can not only hang out among the iconic colonnades, but soak up views of both the city and the city. Lake Michigan.
A veterans’ memorial was also proposed within the stadium, in honor of the building’s namesake.
Other facilities were also included in the plan, including a new series of skyboxes, clubs and lounges, aimed at increasing the stadium’s capacity.
Across DuSable Lake Shore Drive, developers have proposed a new area called One Central Station. This will allow access to the stadium site via CTA, Amtrak, Metra Rail, and a people mover known as ‘Chi-Line’. “
According to the film, the new transit center will also include a restaurant and tailgate space.
Finally, the new plan calls for a performance space on the north lawn of the stadium, just in front of the Field Museum on the north side of campus.
These plans come amid concerted pressure by city officials to persuade the Bears to stay in Chicago after the team announced it had signed a purchase deal with Arlington Heights for the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse. The deal is likely to close in the coming months.
The team plans to build a domed stadium on the site and is currently working on plans for a large entertainment district around the complex. may seek public funding for infrastructure around its 326-acre site.
In a repeated statement, the team said it was focused solely on the Arlington site and was not negotiating with the City of Chicago about a change to Soldier Field, whose lease is set to expire in 2032.
A possible move to Arlington Heights by the Chicago Bears became a reality this week as the village board approved a pre-development plan for a large-scale project.
