Chicago officials are making efforts to entice the Bears to stay at Soldier Field, and on Sunday morning a prospective developer released a massive new video showing off a slew of amenities intended to keep the team in town, including the dome.
The video, released by a group called the Reimagine Soldier Field Coalition, is nearly six minutes long, and features a glimpse of areas in and around the stadium, including a new transit center and concert space that will expand the stadium’s footprint.
The group is led by Landmark Development, which has partnered with several professional sports franchises, including the Minnesota Vikings in building US Bank Stadium. The group also helped undertake a massive renovation and redevelopment of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, as well as build MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
The highlight of the video is the stadium itself, with the proposal focused on an all-new glass dome that would protect the interior from the elements and potentially attract interest from a wide range of partners, including the NFL, NCAA, and concert promoters. The goal would be to host Super Bowls and Final Fours, both of which are currently impossible due to the stadium’s outdoor nature.
In addition to the dome, several new features will be added to the stadium, including clubhouses on the east and west sides that will allow fans not only to meander between the iconic columns, but also to enjoy stunning views of the city and Lake Michigan.
A memorial to the veteran has also been proposed within the stadium to honor those for whom the building is named.
Other amenities, including a new series of skyboxes, clubs and lounges, were also included in the plans, with the aim of increasing the stadium’s capacity.
Across DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the developers have proposed a new area called One Central Station, which would allow access to the stadium site via the CTA, Amtrak, and Metra rail lines, as well as a people carrier known as the “Chi-Line.”
The new transit center will also include restaurants and backyard spaces, according to the movie.
Finally, the new plan calls for performance space on the north lawn of the stadium, in front of Museum Field on the north side of campus.
The plans come amid a concerted push by city officials to convince the Bears to stay in Chicago after the team announced it had entered into a purchase agreement with Arlington Heights for the site of the former Arlington International Raceway. This deal is likely to be completed in the coming months.
The team intends to build a domed stadium on the site, and are currently working on plans for a huge recreational area around this complex. They are currently in negotiations with village officials that the team will likely seek public funding for infrastructure around the 326-acre site.
In repeated statements, the team has said it is focused solely on the Arlington site, and that they have not been in negotiations with the city of Chicago about any changes to Soldier Field, as their lease is scheduled to expire in 2032.
The potential move of the Chicago Bears to Arlington Heights became closer to reality this week as the village council approved a pre-development plan for the megaproject.
