Introduction to the Proposed Stadium
The Chicago Fire FC teased soccer under the skyline Monday with renderings of the team’s proposed $650 million South Loop stadium, to be bankrolled by billionaire owner Joe Mansueto. Fans would stream down from Roosevelt Road into the 22,000-seat, open-air pitch on the north end of the parcel known as The 78 — the long-vacant area near Clark Street that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf had coveted for a new stadium until Mansueto called dibs earlier this month.
Design and Features of the Stadium
The first detailed visions of the proposed stadium — which will require City Council approval — suggest an unpretentious riverside venue beneath a sweeping vista of the Willis Tower. Fire president Dave Baldwin told the Sun-Times the team wanted the design to harken back to “the City of Broad Shoulders” and its “rich industrial manufacturing heritage.”
The stadium would host about 20 Fire games per year, and potentially “another dozen or so major events,” Baldwin said, suggesting friendly international soccer matches, concerts and comedy shows.
Funding and Approval
Unlike the Chicago Bears or White Sox, the Fire gained instant momentum behind their proposal when announcing it earlier this month because Mansueto, a financial services magnate, isn’t asking taxpayers to foot the bill. Megadeveloper Related Midwest — which has been trying to land a catalyst development at The 78 for years — is hoping to draw from a $450 million tax increment financing district approved seven years ago to bankroll infrastructure needed to prepare the site for development.
Potential Events and Activities
Other “smaller and more intimate” events could be booked in the offseason, too — from weddings, bar mitzvahs, and corporate events to soccer clinics and nonprofit functions. The potential portion of that TIF money most important to the Fire would be earmarked for “connectivity from Roosevelt to the stadium and the riverfront,” Baldwin said.
Conclusion
The proposed Chicago Fire soccer stadium at The 78 in the South Loop is an exciting development that could bring new life to the area. With its unique design and potential for various events and activities, it has the potential to become a beloved landmark in the city.
FAQs
Q: What is the proposed location of the Chicago Fire soccer stadium?
A: The proposed location is at The
