Wrigley Expansion - Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs

Alderman to offer Cubs night-game deal by year's end

By Gary Washburn

November 18, 2003

An ordinance giving the Chicago Cubs permission to phase in more night games beginning next season will be introduced by year's end, Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said Monday.

The measure, if approved, would represent a breakthrough between the team and the city after more than two years of negotiations on a variety of issues related to Wrigley Field.

Tunney, who represents the area around the ballpark, presided at a community meeting Monday night at LeMoyne School, 851 W. Waveland Ave., where local residents were briefed on promises by the team to help address problems ranging from congestion to litter in return for a gradual increase in the number of night games from the current limit of 18 to 30.

"I think the Cubs and the city are doing a great job, and I am totally in support of more night games," said Dave Nimick, a local resident.

But other speakers complained of troublesome neighborhood congestion associated with night games and what they said were broken promises in the past to take remedial action.

"Thirty games are too many, and no matter what protections, there are negative effects on the quality of our lives," said Charlotte Newfeld, the head of Citizens United for Baseball in Sunshine.

Tunney's proposal is expected to call for 22 night games next year, followed by 26 in 2005 and 30 beginning in 2006.

Tunney and Mayor Richard Daley had refused to consider more games under the lights until community concerns were addressed.

Last month, the Cubs proposed a 15-year agreement under which the team would take an array of actions, including establishing a $1 million fund, to address neighborhood issues.

Daley on Monday brushed off questions about additional night games.

"I am working on my budget first," he said. "I have priorities. ... That is secondary."

After a Wednesday City Council meeting where aldermen are expected to vote on the mayor's 2004 spending plan, "they can talk about that," Daley said.

If Daley supports the night-game measure and it is approved by the City Council, the accord would clear the way for negotiations on two other long-standing proposals by the Cubs: construction of a commercial complex that would include a parking garage and retail space just west of Wrigley and an expansion of the ballpark's bleachers section.

The commercial development and its acceptability to local residents will be addressed first, according to Tunney. As part of any deal, the Cubs also must negotiate to acquire a portion of the site, which, records indicate, is owned by the city.

The Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune.

Under the team's neighborhood-protection plan, the Cubs would provide parking at remote sites and offer free shuttle service for all weekend and night games in an attempt to reduce the number of cars around the ballpark. The team also would contribute up to $100,000 for an engineering study for a permanent entrance ramp to Lake Shore Drive at Addison Street and up to $48,000 to purchase three variable-message signs to advise motorists approaching Wrigley.

The Cubs also would empty trash cans to supplement city pickups on major streets used by fans around the ballpark and would post employees at all exits to help stop people from bringing trash from the park into the surrounding area.

For every new night game, the Cubs also would move Friday games scheduled to start at 2:20 p.m. to 1:20 in an effort to clear traffic from the neighborhood by rush hour.

Last week, Police Department officials said that police staffing around Wrigley on game days would increase from about 40 currently to 80 in an attempt to crack down on troublemakers.