Mayor Daley unloads on Tribune Co.

August 4, 2004

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Mayor Daley ridiculed the Tribune Co. on Tuesday for making what they insist was "millions" of dollars worth of repairs to "potentially hazardous" pedestrian and bleacher ramps at Wrigley Field without the required building permits.

Daley accused the media conglomerate that owns the Cubs, the Chicago Tribune and WGN radio and television of employing a "double standard" that holds private landlords and politicians to one set of rules and its own executives to another.

"It's a disgrace. They're the Tribune. They have all the ink you want in the world and they can write any editorial they want. But they will not look at themselves and this is an example. . . .I think they're totally embarrassed," he said.

Cubs President Andy MacPhail has said he had no idea permits were required for the repair work, but Daley finds that difficult to believe.

"That's why they get paid big salaries over there. That's why they have lawyers and consultants," the mayor said.

"Could you see me giving that answer [and the Tribune would] write an editorial about me: 'Mayor says I didn't know we needed permits.' . . . I'll tell you one thing. If we did that, there'd be headlines all over -- all day long."

Mike Lufrano, vice president of community relations for the Cubs, refused to comment on the mayor's broadside, the second against the Tribune Co. in two weeks.

The mayor had earlier accused the Tribune Co. of concealing the first of three incidents of falling concrete at Wrigley over a six-week period, and he threatened to shut down all or parts of the landmark stadium if that's what it takes to protect fans.

"The safety of our fans continues to be our top priority. We are trying to be as open as we can about the issues. Two separate structural engineers are working in the park. We've released the reports of both," Lufrano said.

But Lufrano once again refused to provide an itemized list of structural repairs made at Wrigley in recent years.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week that a 2001 report on the structural integrity of 90-year-old Wrigley Field uncovered serious defects and recommended repair and replacement of pedestrian and bleacher ramps to avert a "potentially hazardous condition" that could cause "local failure."

The Sun-Times also reported that a review of city building permits issued at Wrigley over the past three years showed no evidence that the Cubs had made those repairs.

MacPhail responded by insisting the Cubs had spent "millions" of dollars on maintenance and repairs since then, with ramps a primary focus because of what Ohio-based Osborn Engineering called "concrete deterioration" caused by the "corrosion of reinforcing steel due to chloride infiltration."

The team was "under the operating assumption that, for repair work, permits are not required," MacPhail said, vowing not to make that same mistake in the future.

On Tuesday, Daley returned to Chicago from the Democratic convention in Boston and a side-trip to Poland and had a good laugh at the Tribune Co.'s expense.

When a reporter noted that the Cubs had done major structural repairs without permits, Daley feigned shock and gasped for air for maximum effect.

"My God. There must be an investigative reporter for the Tribune here. Where are they? We need a special prosecutor. We need a thorough investigation by the federal, state and local governments and United Nations," the mayor said.

Last week, Buildings Commissioner Stan Kaderbek allowed the Cubs to begin a three-game homestand after the team raced to install safety nets to protect fans from falling concrete. Kaderbek is now preparing to demand an itemized list of the structural repairs made to Wrigley Field without a permit. That will be followed by inspections to make certain that the work was done according to the city's building code.

"If the work was done improperly, then fines could be imposed per day" of violations by a hearing officer or a judge, said Buildings Department spokesman Jack Beary. Even if the work performed was done properly, Beary said, "They'll be required to apply for permits and the fees will double."

Before the falling concrete debacle, Daley appeared on the verge of approving a long-stalled bleacher expansion at Wrigley. The mayor insisted Tuesday that his criticism of the Tribune Co. would have no effect on the expansion issue. That's provided, of course, that Wrigley can handle the weight of 1,980 additional seats.

Sun Times