City Gives Final Approval For Wrigley Field Renovation
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The planned $500 million Wrigley Field renovation will soon be a reality following city council approval on Wednesday.
Aldermen approved the plan that will allow the Ricketts family to build a large video board in left field, additional signage inside the park as well as a hotel and office building.
Some other details still need to be worked out, such as where the entrance to the hotel will be located.
The Cubs and the rooftop owners still need to negotiate an agreement after the owners raised concerns their views will be obstructed.
Wrigley Plan Approved
"We look forward to beginning construction on our $500 million plan, but before we do, we must resolve once and for all the threat of litigation and the enforcement of existing rooftop ordinances and long term certainty over control of our outfield," owner Tom Ricketts said.
If they can work out the remaining issues, especially with the rooftop owners, the Cubs are expected to begin construction as soon as the regular season ends.
No taxpayer money is being used to pay for the project.
Ald. Tom Tunney said it is a very different project from what the Cubs first envisioned, thanks to the negotiating and community input. For example, the Cubs agreed to ditch a plan to build a sky bridge over Clark Street.
"We also look forward to discussing with Ald. Tunney potential alternatives to the Clark Street bridge and the hotel portico," Ricketts said.
