On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears unveiled plans for a new, cutting-edge enclosed stadium set to grace Chicago’s lakefront.
The proposed state-of-the-art venue will be publicly owned and positioned near the Bears’ current home at Soldier Field, on the historic lakefront.
Renderings of the stadium were shared, highlighting the team’s commitment to enhancing green and open spaces along the lakefront and maintaining public access to the shoreline, particularly around the Museum Campus area.
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A report by the Chicago Tribune estimates the cost of the new stadium at around $4.6 billion, with taxpayers expected to fund about half of this amount.
This announcement follows the Bears’ acquisition of land in suburban Arlington Heights, where they initially considered building a domed stadium. However, the team has since decided to invest in the lakefront location.
This decision appears to address concerns from the preservation group Friends of the Parks. The group, known for its successful lawsuit to stop George Lucas from constructing a museum on the lakefront, has also expressed opposition to new stadium developments on the Museum Campus. By choosing a lakefront site and planning for significant public amenities, the Bears aim to mitigate these concerns and move forward with their vision for the new venue.
