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Chicago officials have been trying to entice the Bears to stay at Soldier Field, and on Sunday morning a would-be developer released a grandiose new video showing a host of amenities designed to keep the team in the city, including a circular top.
The nearly six-minute video, released by a group called the Reimagine Soldier Field Coalition, flies over areas inside and outside the stadium, including a new transportation hub and concert space that will expand the stadium’s footprint.
The group is led by Landmark Development, which has worked with a number of professional sports franchises, including the Minnesota Vikings on Bank of America Stadium. The group also helped with the extensive renovation and reconstruction of Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the construction of MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
The main highlight of the video is the stadium itself, with the proposal centered around a brand new glass dome that would shield the interior from the elements and could be of interest to various partners including the NFL, NCAA and concert promoters. The goal is to host the Super Bowl and Final Four, neither of which is currently possible due to the outdoor nature of the stadium.
In addition to the dome, several new features will be added to the stadium, including clubhouses on the east and west sides, allowing fans to not only stroll through the iconic colonnade, but also soak up the views of the city and city. Lake Michigan.
A Veterans Memorial has also been proposed in the stadium to honor those who bear the building’s name.
Other facilities, including a series of new skyboxes, clubs and lounges, are also being planned, with the aim of increasing the stadium’s seating capacity.
Across from DuSable Lake Shore Drive, developers have proposed a new area called One Central Station, allowing access to the stadium via CTA, Amtrak and Metra rail lines, as well as a people rapid transit system called the “Chi-Line.” “
According to the film, the new transit center will also include restaurants and tailgating spaces.
Finally, the new plan calls for a performance space on the stadium’s North Lawn, just in front of the Field Museum on the north side of campus.
The plans come amid a concerted push by city officials to persuade the Bears to stay in Chicago after the team announced it had reached a purchase agreement with Arlington Heights for the site at the former Arlington International Raceway. The deal could close in the next few months.
The team intends to build a domed stadium on the site, and plans are currently being drawn up for a large entertainment area around the complex. They are currently negotiating with village officials, and the team may seek public funding for infrastructure around the 326-acre site.
In multiple statements, the team said they were only focused on the Arlington site and that they were not negotiating with the city of Chicago about any changes to Soldier Field, where their lease expires in 2032.
The possibility of the Chicago Bears relocating to Arlington Heights is getting closer to reality this week as the village board approves pre-development plans for a major project.
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