Cubs reach a deal with city for more bleacher seats - Tentative agreement increases seating in bleachers by 1,790

By Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporter

March 1, 2005

The Cubs and the Daley administration reached a tentative agreement Monday that would allow the team to proceed with a 1,790-seat expansion of Wrigley Field's bleachers and the development of a commercial building on a site adjacent to the ballpark, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

The deal is virtually identical to the proposed plan endorsed in mid-February by Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th), whose ward includes Wrigley and whose support is considered critical to proceed.

Tunney has called the terms "a good compromise" that would benefit both the Cubs and the neighborhood.

The bleachers-expansion proposal now goes to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks for its consideration, and both the bleachers project and commercial development will be weighed by the Chicago Plan Commission.

If approvals are granted, the City Council would have the final say. Council approval would clear the way for construction, bringing to a close a sometimes contentious episode over Wrigley's future that began nearly four years ago when the Cubs unveiled the projects.

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

Under the tentative deal, the Cubs would pay $900,000 for 8 feet of sidewalk bordering Waveland and Sheffield Avenues to make way for the bleachers expansion. Another $2.2 million would be paid to purchase a city-owned parcel, just west of the ballpark that now is used for parking, to be used for the commercial development. The five-story building would have a sports-themed restaurant, museum and a parking garage for about 400 cars.

The team also would contribute $250,000 toward the cost of converting a parking lot at Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace St., into a campus park and would fund a $400,000 traffic signal system at Clark Street and Waveland Avenue.

Under a last-minute compromise, the Cubs would pay $300,000 of the signal costs over six years, with the remainder coming from the Cubs Fund, a $1 million pot of money being created by the team for various neighborhood improvements.

"We have been working really hard and are excited to be able to move forward to show our designs to the community," said Michael Lufrano, Cubs vice president of community affairs.