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Suburban Aurora dribbles out details on sports, esports complex

City hasn’t disclosed cost of development or whether subsidies will be involved

<p>A photo illustration of Mayor of Aurora Richard Irvin along with an aerial map/rendering of the planned 50-acre complex in Aurora (Getty, The City of Aurora)</p>

A photo illustration of Mayor of Aurora Richard Irvin along with an aerial map/rendering of the planned 50-acre complex in Aurora (Getty, The City of Aurora)

The City of Aurora plans to develop a sports complex and esports facility on 50 acres of city-owned land near the Chicago Premium Outlets mall.

The development is part of a larger initiative called the Aurora Premier Experience district, which will encompass the outlet mall and the under-construction Hollywood Aurora Casino, the Daily Herald reported. Rental apartments or townhouses could also be included. 

Cordogan Clark and Associates and LCI Development Partners are the developers, in partnership with Harbour Contractors and Card and Associates. Harbour Contractors, led by CEO Patrick Harbour, will develop the esports facility, while Card and Associates, headed by founder and CEO Andy Card, will build the athletic complex

The city purchased the site in 2020 for $9.8 million, concerned it could otherwise be developed into a truck traffic hub due to its proximity to the nearby Pepsi bottling plant. The city considered relocating the casino to the site — which includes nine lots once occupied by single-family homes — but pursued other options after hearing residents’ concerns. Previous proposals focused on outdoor fields, but city officials preferred an indoor multiuse facility.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin did not disclose the development’s estimated cost or confirm whether the city will provide financial incentives, saying he wanted only to give a broad overview and introduce the development partners. 

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A finalized plan is expected by May, when it will go before the city council. 

While the mayor is optimistic about the sports complex and esports facility, similar projects have failed to get off the ground. 

Two major esports projects in Chicago were canceled following their 2021 approval. A $30 million gaming arena near McCormick Place, proposed by developer Scott Greenberg, was scrapped after key backers withdrew their support. An esports venue linked to student housing at 400 South LaSalle Street also failed to move forward.

— Andrew Terrell

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