Introduction to the Proposal
A Chicago development group is making a last-ditch effort to keep the Bears in the city, revealing plans for a massive new stadium on the South Side. Farpoint Development on Friday released renderings of a proposed $3.2 billion, 75,000-seat enclosed stadium on the former Michael Reese Hospital site, along with a mixed-use development.
Details of the Proposal
The plan includes $356 million in privately funded parking and infrastructure, a park bridge over Lake Shore Drive, and 5 million square feet of surrounding development space. Farpoint says the project will require $600 million in public funding for infrastructure. A rendering of the proposed Chicago Bears stadium at the former Michael Reese Hospital on Chicago’s South Side (Image Credit: Farpoint Development).
Developer’s Statement
“We believe in Chicago,” Farpoint founding principal Scott Goodman said in a statement. “We have proposed an opportunity for the Bears to explore our site, which is viable and where a stadium can fit. And it fits on the South Side of Chicago, bridging the gap to downtown.”
Response from the Bears
The Bears, however, declined to comment. The team has previously dismissed the site, citing concerns about its narrow layout and commuter rail tracks that could pose engineering challenges.
Proposed Stadium Renderings
Rendering of the public area and market outside of the proposed Bears stadium at the Michael Reese grounds (Image Credit: Farpoint Development).
Competing Stadium Plans
Bears president Kevin Warren has pushed for a different vision—building a stadium next to Soldier Field as part of a $3.2 billion overhaul of the lakefront museum campus. That plan, which also includes $1.5 billion in infrastructure and a possible publicly owned hotel, has the backing of Mayor Brandon Johnson but has received a lukewarm response from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers.
Alternative Locations
Meanwhile, the Bears also own a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights, where they have proposed a nearly $5 billion stadium and entertainment district.
Current Situation
The team has played at Soldier Field since 1971. Its lease runs through 2033, but its long-term home remains uncertain.
Conclusion
The proposal by Farpoint Development to build a new stadium on the South Side of Chicago is an attempt to keep the Bears in the city. Although the team has expressed concerns about the site, the development group believes it can work. With competing plans for a stadium next to Soldier Field and a site in Arlington Heights, the future of the Bears’ home remains to be seen.
FAQs
- Q: What is the proposed location for the new Bears stadium?
A: The proposed location is the former Michael Reese Hospital site on the South Side of Chicago. - Q: How much will the stadium cost?
A: The estimated cost is $3.2 billion. - Q: What is included in the proposal?
A: The proposal includes a 75,000-seat enclosed stadium, mixed-use development, $356 million in privately funded parking and infrastructure, a park bridge over Lake Shore Drive, and 5 million square feet of surrounding development space. - Q: How much public funding is required?
A: $600 million in public funding is required for infrastructure. - Q: What is the current status of the Bears’ lease at Soldier Field?
A: The lease runs through 2033, but the team’s long-term home remains uncertain.
