Press Release

04/23/2002 11:51 am ET

Cubs release new renovation plans
Neighbors approve of revised plans, say "It's time to let the Cubs build"

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs today unveiled a revised bleacher expansion design that brings some of the charm of Wrigley Field's interior to the exterior along Waveland and Sheffield avenues, including ivy-covered walls, state-of-the-art lighting, brick sidewalks and an open area where pedestrians on Sheffield can peer into the park.

"As we look to build on last year's winning season, this new design will help us compete on the field and is a vital part of sustaining our success," said Andy MacPhail, president of the Chicago Cubs.

Mark McGuire, the Cubs' executive vice president/business operations, has led the redesign effort. "We've taken the suggestions of our neighbors, local aldermen, City officials and design experts, and created a modest addition with a classic look that will help the area around the park look better year-round," McGuire said. The current bleacher exterior includes aging brick and concrete, deteriorating sidewalks and poor lighting.

The new design replicates Wrigley Field's famed ivy-covered outfield walls on the exterior of the park. It adds brick sidewalks and an open area where pedestrians on Sheffield can peer into the park through open fencing that will replace the existing metal field gate, reminiscent of days when kids could peek through knot-holes to get a glimpse of action on the field. The design includes wider concourses, a new balcony overlooking Waveland and Sheffield, an improved entrance, additional restrooms, and a "batter's eye" concession stand behind tinted glass in center field. Constructing the new addition will allow the Cubs to offer unobstructed, wheelchair-accessible seats in the bleachers for the first time ever.

Representatives of Wrigleyville Neighbors, a group of more than 1,800 residents who live near Wrigley Field, were briefed on the revised plan last week and gave it an enthusiastic review.

"This open, airy design is a huge improvement over what is there now," said Kurt Volkman, a representative of Wrigleyville Neighbors. "It will be brighter, safer and more appealing, and it won't cost taxpayers a dime. Hopefully, it will also help the Cubs bring a World Series to Wrigleyville. It's time to let the Cubs build."

The plan was designed by HOK-Sport, the architectural firm that designed Camden Yards in Baltimore and Coors Field in Denver. It is based on the recommendations of nationally-renowned local architect John Vinci and prominent landscaping design firm Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture, Inc. It also incorporates recommendations of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois.

"This design respects the historic tradition of the Wrigley Field bleachers, but allows the Cubs to expand in a way that will help enhance the ballpark and its place in the community," said David Bahlman, president of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois.

The Cubs continue working with neighborhood groups and residents to address transportation and neighborhood protection improvements, which will be implemented along with the expansion. "The design for the bleacher expansion includes additional lighting and security features which will make the sidewalk adjacent to the park among the safest in the neighborhood," McGuire said. The committee of neighborhood representatives appointed by the aldermen to address neighborhood issues is scheduled to meet again this week.

Since the Cubs first proposed expanding the bleachers, several changes have been made in response to input from the neighborhood and City planning officials. The original 2,600-seat expansion was scaled back to 2,100 seats in response to concern expressed by Ald. Bernard Hansen and other city officials.

Construction of the new bleachers will be financed entirely by the Cubs. When St. Louis completes its proposed new baseball stadium, the Cubs will be the only team in the National League Central Division to play in a stadium opened before the year 2000. Each of the new Central Division ballparks and all other major professional sports venues in the City of Chicago have received public funding.

The new bleachers and other seats that are part of the Cubs proposed addition will add 5.4 percent to the capacity of the stadium.

Here's a sample of what the renovated park could look like from the surrounding neighborhood.

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