http://www.suntimes.com/news/1942446...eld-walls.html
Wrigley deal said to be close and include extending right- and left-field walls
BY FRAN SPIELMAN
City Hall Reporter
fspielman@suntimes.com
Last Modified: Apr 11, 2013 07:29PM
Marathon talks to renovate Wrigley Field are “in the bottom of the 9th” ...
The mayor’s optimistic outlook about a deal that appeared to be sealed a week ago comes
amid word that the right- and left-field walls of 99-year-old Wrigley would be extended as much as ten feet outward — taking out the sidewalk on Sheffield and a lane of traffic on Waveland — to give the Cubs more concession space and mitigate the impact of a giant video scoreboard in left and a see-through sign in right on rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley.
The Cubs plan also includes a...
In 2006, the Cubs agreed to extend the outfield walls eight feet onto the sidewalks ...
Now, the city and the Cubs are talking about an instant replay.
Both sides agreed that demolishing the outfield walls in right- and left-fields was part of the plan, but the motive depends on whom you talk to.
The Cubs insist the move was being made solely to preserve rooftop views and mitigate blockage caused by the two new signs that will help bankroll a $300 million renovation of the landmark ballpark.
“The plan would be to move the wall as far back as possible so the Jumbotron would have less impact on rooftop views. ....
“It does open up opportunities for us inside the ballpark — by making the concourses wider and opening up additional concession space beneath the bleachers. But, this particular idea originated based on the desire to accommodate the rooftops, period.”
City Hall had a different take.
“The Cubs came to us and said, ‘We’re landlocked. We need to get maximum use out of Wrigley Field.’ This way, they can expand their footprint even though they’re in a landlocked situation,” said a top mayoral aide, who asked to remain anonymous.
“This is not being done for the rooftops. We’re doing this to help the Cubs. But, there is an added benefit that will further reduce the impact on [rooftop] sight lines.”
The top mayoral aide noted that similar street, sidewalk and alley “vacations” are routinely done for developers across the city.
“We’re doing it for Loyola [on Kenmore to create more of a campus atmosphere near new dormitories]. We’re also doing it for Norfolk Southern [RR]. It’s pretty normal,” the source said.
...