Chicago leaders are quietly formulating plans to reinvent and reanimate Soldier Field in the event the Chicago Bears depart from the historic stadium.
Fox 32 Chicago reports the Chicago Park District, a municipal agency, is proposing a $630 million program that would turn the 101-year-old Soldier Field into a concert and events venue. The plan would include $130 million in stadium renovations and $500 million in infrastructure improvements around the site. Financing would come from the state’s motor fuel tax fund and a potential $90 million penalty if the Bears break their lease before 2033.
According to Chicago Park District data, the Bears only generate less than 20% of the revenue at the stadium. The rest comes from outside events including concerts and international soccer matches, with additional revenue coming from a year-round parking garage serving the 57-acre Museum Campus that is home to several prominent attractions.
Chicago Park District spokesperson Michelle Lemons did not confirm or deny the proposal but said in a statement that her agency seeks “to ensure that Chicago’s lakefront stadium continues to serve as a strong public asset that supports park programming and maintenance across the city, vital public services, and the broader tourism economy anchored by the Museum Campus.”
Photo by Sea Cow / Wikimedia Commons
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