Chicago Bears potential new home weighing economic benefits

The Chicago Bears are one step closer to a new home in Arlington Heights. But the team’s possible new host has some questions.

The Village Board approved two resolutions for consulting contracts to analyze the potential economic and traffic impacts of redeveloping the Arlington Park International Racecourse into a football stadium for the Chicago team, the Arlington Heights Post reported.

The news comes just days after the NFL team released preliminary plans for the stadium, which will include restaurants, a hotel and commercial space.

Hiring the consultants is an important step for Arlington Heights to finalize the deal with the team, which signed a purchase agreement for the property with Churchill Downs.

Hunden Strategic Partners is being contracted for an $118,000 economic impact study. And Sam Schwartz Consulting will receive $85,000 to study transportation impacts. While the resolutions say the consultants are hired by and work for the village, the NFL team is paying for the consultant fees.

“This is a big enough project that we would absolutely do this, whether it were the Lions or the Tigers or the Bears,” Village Trustee Jim Tinaglia told the outlet. “And the funds that are being used are being used out of the escrow funds of the petitioners. So there is no tax money being used.”

The village wants to ensure that the team’s stadium “results in a net positive fiscal impact upon Arlington Heights.” The traffic consultant will look at public transit options for the site and determine on- and off-site parking possibilities.

The team signed a purchase agreement for the property, but the deal isn’t finalized. Certain conditions still need to be met.

The NFL team will hold a community meeting to discuss the stadium plans at John Hersey High School this week.

Read more

Chicago

Bears say public money needed for commercial space in new stadium plan

— Victoria Pruitt