Wrigley Expansion - Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs

Easement, land may cost Cubs $3 million

By Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporter

Published November 6, 2004

The city has asked the Chicago Cubs to pay $2.2 million for a parcel of land adjacent to Wrigley Field to help clear the way for a new commercial project on the site.

And for the right to extend Wrigley's bleachers above public sidewalks bordering Waveland and Sheffield Avenues, City Hall is seeking an additional $1.08 million under an easement that would run for 99 years.

The land, just west of the ballpark, was purchased by the Cubs more than 20 years ago from a now-defunct railroad company after Tribune Co. bought the Cubs. But the Daley administration contends the city, not the railroad, owned the parcel when it was sold.

"The issue is one that we hope to resolve through discussion," said Mike Lufrano, Cubs vice president of community affairs. "The city obviously disputes whether the railroad that sold us the land had the right to do so. We disagree, but have said all along we hope to resolve this cooperatively."

The Cubs want to develop a building with a parking garage, restaurant and museum on the parcel.

Wrigley Field and the Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune.

As for the sidewalk air rights, Lufrano said, "We are still working on that with our architects and still discussing it with our community and the city."

The city's decision to seek payment for the easement represents a change in position. In 2002, Mayor Richard Daley said the city effectively would provide a subsidy for the expansion.

"By allowing them to build over the sidewalk without charging them air rights, the city is allowing the Cubs to expand over a public way," he said at the time. The value of the easement "is $1.1 million over 20 years, so that is a subsidy," he said.

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th), whose ward includes Wrigley, said he could not gauge the prices put on the table.

"I don't have any comparables," he said.

The Cubs hope to add 1,980 seats to the bleachers, but capacity will be determined by design standards imposed by the city. Officials have said that any expansion must preserve the appearance of the landmark ballpark and retain the views of the surrounding neighborhood.