EXCLUSIVE REPORT:
Will Rogers Park be the new home to the Chicago Cubs?
The Tribune Company's CEO Sam Zell faces a difficult choice: Maintain Cub's home Wrigley Field and let the company remain about $12 billion in debt, or sell the stadium and build a new one - with TIF money in the 49th Ward.
Pottawatomie Park is a large piece of Chicago Park District land, located in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the city's far north side, a stone's throw south of Evanston.
Chicago Business reports: "The original plan when Mr. Zell took control of the company was to raise the cash by selling the Cubs, which could fetch $700 million or more. But that deal is taking longer than expected, as Mr. Zell seeks to boost his Cubs take by selling Wrigley Field separately." (Source)Alderman Joe Moore could invoke eminent domain to clear away houses and apartment buildings to make room for parking lots adjacent to the new Wrigley Field. "This would bring in a heck of a lot more tax revenue than the little apartments and houses surrounding Pottawattomie Park," said a source in Moore's office. The source asked The Bench to keep her anonymous.
Nearby Touhy Park would be paved over for parking facilities, which would include at least two multi-level parking ramps.
The Metra runs between Pottawattomie Park and Touhy Park, which could accomodate many more people than the CTA's Red Line currently does at Addison, the station adjacent to Wrigley presently. (See map, click for larger image)Alderman Joe Moore plans a community meeting on this issue in late April. For more information, or to let him know how you feel about the relocation of Wrigley Field to Pottawattomie Park, call his office at 773-338-5796. Please be polite when you call.
