Could the Chicago Bears stay within Chicago city limits, with a new stadium built on the site of the White Sox’s current ballpark? An architectural concept prepared by the renowned firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill presents that possibility. The design calls for a modern domed stadium in the Bridgeport neighborhood, near the intersection of 35th Street and Shields Avenue.
For now, however, it is only an architectural vision, not an official plan approved by Bears leadership.
Chicago Bears stadium in Bridgeport.
The renderings show a domed stadium located near the Dan Ryan Expressway. The facility would be built on the site that is now home to the Chicago White Sox baseball stadium.
The project envisions much more than a football stadium. Residential buildings, hotels, entertainment venues, parks and public recreation spaces would be built around it.
The architects included both affordable housing and market-rate units. The concept also calls for public facilities and pedestrian bridges.
One of the location’s advantages is access to CTA public transit, Metra commuter rail and major highways. That could make it easier for fans to get to games and back home.
In practice, the idea would mean relocating both Chicago teams. The White Sox could move to a new baseball stadium in the South Loop neighborhood, near the planned The 78 development, while the Bears would take over the current ballpark site at 35th Street.
Does Swapping the Bears’ and White Sox’s Stadiums Make Sense?
The idea of moving the Bears to Bridgeport has been backed for years by Dave Wischnowsky, a former Chicago sports commentator. In his view, the location could be attractive to both the team and the city.
He points to the difference in the two teams’ schedules. The White Sox play 81 regular-season games at home, while the Bears have far fewer home games. In his assessment, the Bridgeport site could therefore better serve the football team, and the White Sox could find a new home in the South Loop.
Wischnowsky also believes that Chicago, the Bears and the NFL should calmly examine all the options rather than make hasty decisions about the stadium’s future.
Not everyone is convinced by the solution, however. Alderperson Nicole Lee, who represents Chicago’s 11th Ward, admits she would prefer the White Sox to stay where they are. At the same time, she does not rule out that, if the site were vacated, building a Bears stadium there could be an interesting solution.
She stresses, however, that the renderings are merely a starting point for discussion. She has not yet held talks with Bears representatives about the project.
She also points to obstacles related to developing the site. The area covered by the concept includes residential buildings, a church and other properties whose future would have to be resolved. In addition, the property belongs to the state of Illinois, which means state authorities would have to be involved.
Bears Still Considering Hammond and Arlington Heights
The future of the Chicago Bears’ stadium remains unresolved. The organization has repeatedly stressed that it is focused on the possibility of building a new facility in Hammond, Indiana. A final location has not yet been named, however.
The team also still owns about 326 acres of land at the former Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights.
Meetings on the stadium’s future were also held recently, with Illinois officials, the NFL and Bears co-owner Pat Ryan taking part. According to media reports, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also attended. Team president George McCaskey and general manager Kevin Warren were not there.
Warren previously warned that a prolonged search for a new location could complicate the organization’s situation.
The White Sox’s decision will also be important for the future of the Bridgeport concept. The lease on the current stadium runs through the end of the 2029 season.
There is no confirmation yet that the Bears intend to consider this particular location. The architects’ design, however, shows another possibility for keeping the team in Chicago rather than moving it to Indiana.
Source: Polski.FM
