Wrigley Field, rooftop owners reach tentative agreement

January 10, 2004

The Cubs and rooftop view building owners have reportedly reached a tentative agreement for expansion. In recent years, rooftop owners have been against expansion of the Friendly Confines because it could block the views. The idea of expansion also had neighbors concerned.

"I worry about is if they build over the sidewalk there and if that's covered, you're going to have more people I think lingering about than we currently have and that's not necessarily as a resident of Waveland Avenue something we want," said Jon Elsass, Wrigleyville resident.

A source says the tentative agreement reached between Cubs management and the majority of rooftop owners is a 20-year deal. Under the deal, rooftop owners would drop their opposition to the expansion of Wrigley. In exchange, the Cubs promise their additions won't block the view from the rooftops. Also, a key part of this proposed deal, the rooftop owners for the first time will share their revenue $15 to $20 per person with the cubs.

Meg Styck has lived a few doors from Wrigley for the last 18 years. She's worried that homeowners are being left out of these talks.

"This time it seems like we're not really getting included and I was really looking forward to our alderman, I thought he would be more on the homeowners' side but I don't see a lot that's going on. And I just think that it's the rooftop owners that are getting all the cuts," said Styck.

ABC 7's calls to Alderman Tom Tunney and Cubs management have not been returned.