New delay for Wrigley landmark plan

June 4, 2002

The Daley administration on Monday agreed to a new delay in the proposed landmarking of Wrigley Field to allow time for further negotiations with the Chicago Cubs over the team's proposed expansion of the ballpark's bleachers seating area.

The landmarking process, which includes a series of public hearings in a procedure that culminates with a City Council vote, was first frozen temporarily last September.

Some community leaders have opposed the expansion, and Daley aides have encouraged Cubs management to offer a compromise that would be acceptable to them.

Once landmark designation has been conferred, approval of physical alterations of a building can be difficult.

"Things unfortunately are moving slowly, but we are still talking and hoping we can get things back on track," said Mark McGuire, Cubs executive vice president of business operations. "We are trying to pull things together."

"We have not reached an agreement yet, and we are committed to do that,"said Pete Scales, a spokesman for the city's Planning Department.

The Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also is the Chicago Tribune's parent company.

Copyright © 2002, The Chicago Tribune