Tag: Arlington Heights

Why Arlington Heights might be the best choice for new Bears stadium

The Bears are looking for a solution to their stadium crisis. Here’s why Arlington Heights might be the best option.

The search for a site for a new Chicago Bears stadium continues, and it sounds like Arlington Heights is back to be being a possibility.

This is a discourse that has been going on for a long time. Are the Bears going to stay in Chicago to play on the lakefront just south of Soldier Field or are they going to head east to the suburbs?

The best option for the Bears is to move to Arlington Heights with a brand-new stadium. If they do that, the overall fan experience would be much better and the business opportunity will be incredible.

Both a lakefront and suburban stadium would allow the Bears to host other huge events — including Final Fours, concerts and even a Super Bowl, which would be quite profitable.

While Arlington Heights is an hour outside of Chicago, a suburban stadium site would provide a more fan-friendly experience than downtown on the lakefront, where recent stadium renderings failed to account for parking. Not to mention, the downtown traffic makes the game-day experience inconvenient on most occasions.

Moving to Arlington Heights could cure these problems if the Bears do it the right way. It seems as if president/CEO Kevin Warren is the kind of guy to do it the right way if he’s going to pursue it, but it remains to be seen if that’s the case. With a nice stadium and good vibes, the Bears may even start playing some good football to go with it.

Report: Arlington Heights remains in contention for Bears stadium

According to Mark Carman, the Bears have made “progress” with Arlington Heights regarding a stadium deal.

The Chicago Bears’ search for a new stadium site continues despite the organization’s public plans to build on the Chicago lakefront next to Soldier Field.

While it seemed like Arlington Heights, the 326-acre property the organization purchased last year, was out of the running due to property tax issues, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

According to CHGO’s Mark Carman, the Bears have made “progress” with Arlington Heights and the school district board in regards to getting a stadium deal in place.

Source: The Bears have made progress in their discussions with Arlington Heights and the school district board for their stadium deal. The belief is that Kevin Warren’s timeline to get a deal done remains aggressive.

Carman provided an update regarding the team finding a resolution with property taxes and Arlington Heights officials are still optimistic that the Bears will choose to build there — although the organization remains publicly committed to building on the lakefront.

Update: Bears continue to work towards a resolution regarding property taxes with school board and Arlington Heights on the land they own. AH remains hopeful Bears will build their new stadium there. The Bears maintain their stadium focus remains on the museum campus in Chicago.

“I’m confident at the correct time that we will come together to figure out a stadium solution,” president/CEO Kevin Warren said, via NBC Sports Chicago, earlier this month.

While the public goal remains to find a resolution in building a new stadium on the Chicago lakefront, Arlington Heights could very well be an answer.

Bears president Kevin Warren says intention is to build new stadium on lakefront

Bears president Kevin Warren spoke at the owners meetings on Tuesday and says he intents to break ground on a new stadium on the lakefront.

The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga continues to roll on, with little action taking place. The team is at an impasse with Arlington Heights and the 326-acre property they purchased over a year ago, and reports came out two weeks ago that indicate they have their sights set on a new stadium near Soldier Field.

On Tuesday, president Kevin Warren confirmed that the team intends to build a new stadium on the lakefront.

Warren met with reporters during the 2024 NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Florida, and was asked by CHGO’s Adam Hoge whether the Bears intended to build a new stadium in Chicago if everything came together. Warren didn’t mince words.

“The plan would be to put a shovel in the ground on the lakefront,” he said.

Ever since he was hired as team president and CEO, Warren has expressed his affinity for the city of Chicago. Last August, in an interview with Peter King, Warren talked about the possible options for a stadium location and couldn’t stop gushing about Chicago and its lakefront.

“God really kissed downtown Chicago with that lakefront,” Warren said via NBC Sports Chicago. “I don’t think there’s any place in the country that has that beauty of a city right upon a beautiful lake in Lake Michigan.”

The vision for a new stadium just south of Soldier Field comes after the difficulties the Bears have had with the Arlington Park property. Disagreements surrounding the proposed tax assessments have stalled progress, and even after the village recently proposed a fair compromise that would lower the current tax rate, the Bears are making their intentions clear.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Arlington Heights proposes tax cut for potential Bears stadium

Don’t look now, but the Bears to Arlington Heights stadium isn’t dead yet.

Don’t look now, but Arlington Heights has put themselves back in the race for a new Chicago Bears stadium site.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Arlington Heights is proposing a tax cut compromise for a potential new domed stadium at the former Arlington International Racecourse, which was purchased by the Bears last February.

Arlington Heights proposed an agreement to accept the Cook County Board of Review’s assessed value of $124.7 million for the 2023 and 2024 tax years. This is in response to the disagreement between the Bears and local school districts involving the property tax bill.

Here are additional details from the Chicago Tribune about the tax breakdown:

The property would be assessed at the 25% commercial rate for half of 2023 and the 10% vacant property rate for the other half, resulting in a total tax liability of $6.3 million, according to Arlington Heights’ Feb. 27 proposal, which the village released publicly late Monday after an open records request by the Tribune.

For the 2024 tax year, the property would be assessed at the 10% rate, resulting in a tax bill of $3.6 million, according to the proposal. Both figures would be a big cut from taxes currently estimated to be near $10 million.

This move comes shortly after the Bears shifted their focus to building a new stadium on the Chicago lakefront just south of Soldier Field — where the organization announced they would commit $2 billion toward the stadium. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears remain interested in the Arlington Heights property, but their main focus remains the lakefront.

Could this have been a power play by Warren to use leverage for a secondary stadium site to get the original site he wanted all along? Or does Warren really have his sights set on a lakefront stadium? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Bears aren’t getting tax relief for Arlington Heights property valuation

The Bears are approaching a pivotal point in their new state-of-the-art stadium project.

The Chicago Bears are approaching a pivotal point in their new state-of-the-art stadium project.

According to WGN and the Daily Herald, the value of the 326-acre Arlington Heights property (which the organization purchased for $197.2 million in a year ago) was set at $192 million, which means the Bears would have to pay about $15 million in taxes.

The Bears have until Saturday to reach an agreement with three school districts about the appraisal for the Arlington Heights property as they seek tax relief for the potential new stadium site.

On Thursday, we learned that the Bears are not going to be given tax relief for the valuation. The decision reportedly isn’t final but this is the initial decision. The Daily Herald had the report first: The three-member elected Board of Review unanimously endorsed County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s valuation of $192 million for the undeveloped land, according to the report. That valuation carries a yearly tax bill of about $15 million, the reports says, which is much higher than the Bears believe the land is now worth.

According to a Chicago Tribune report late last month, the Bears presented two appraisals of the property, one for $60 million and one for $71 million, to the Board of Review.

Three suburban school districts, however — Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15, Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 and Palatine-based Township High School District 211 — have had the land valued at $160 million, the Tribune reported.

This is big news in the NFL world as one of the biggest money-making teams is set to build a new state-of-the-art stadium. While the belief was Arlington Heights would be the new home, the taxing issues continue to make it difficult.

Recently, a report indicated a newfound focus to the Chicago lakefront for the Bears’ new stadium, which would be on the Soldier Field south lot with the goal of hosting Super Bowls, Final Fours and other events, which was the plan in Arlington Heights, as well.

“The Arlington Heights property is incredible,” Bears president Kevin Warren said, via WGN. “Any time you have 326 acres near the city – and now we’ve cleaned everything so it’s a vacant piece of land – it’s a great piece of property.

“That said – to be able to have optionality with Chicago – I’ve made it very clear how I feel about Chicago. I think it’s the finest city in the world. I can’t think of another major metropolitan area that has beautiful lakefront that you can swim in, that’s clean, near a downtown. The architecture is phenomenal and just the history and tradition. It’s just something that feels right about the Bears in Chicago. But, this is a long journey and we’ll continue to work on it.”

There’s no doubt the Bears will construct a new stadium. Whether that’s in Arlington Heights or Chicago (or elsewhere) remains to be seen. But it certainly feels like all signs are pointing to the Bears staying on the lakefront.

Bears still determining if Arlington Heights is ‘viable option’ for new stadium

Kevin Warren said the Bears are still working to find a legitimate partner when it comes to their new stadium.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

It’s been an eventful few months when it comes to the Chicago Bears’ stadium development. While Arlington Heights was believed to be the odds on favorite for the new stadium, there have been some obstacles, most notably tax issues, and the team made it known that it was no longer the singular focus.

Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren appeared at an invitation-only meeting at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights on Monday night, where he discussed the latest with stadium plans. While Arlington Heights could very well be the new site of the stadium, it doesn’t sound like things are close to resolved.

“We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” Warren said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “We have to figure out if Arlington Heights is legitimately a viable option or is it not. This has nothing to do with personal feelings. This is strictly business. And I just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page and figure out if this is something that will work.”

The Bears have started demolition on the Arlington International Racecourse, but they’re reiterated that doesn’t mean a stadium will be built. If Warren’s comments are any indication, any resolution still feels a long way away. But Warren assured everyone they’re doing their due diligence when it comes to finding the best partner.

“This is not about the Chicago Bears trying to come in and take advantage of everyone,” Warren said. “It’s the opposite. It’s about the Chicago Bears finding a partner.”

“Once we have a legitimate partner, we will move forward,” Warren added. “If that’s in Arlington Heights, great. If it’s somewhere else, that’s great too.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Bears begin exterior demolition on Arlington Heights property

The Bears started the second phase of demolition on the Arlington International Racecourse on Friday.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The Chicago Bears have started the second phase of demolition, this time exterior focused, at Arlington International Racecourse on Friday.

The organization bought the Arlington Heights property for $197.3 million back in February with the intent on building a new state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district. But they’ve been unhappy with the expense of its property tax assessment.

With that, the Bears announced that Arlington Heights was no longer the sole focus of their stadium efforts. Since then, they’ve also met with Naperville city officials about a potential stadium, and the city of Waukegan has expressed interest in building a stadium.

While Arlington Heights is still in play to be the site of the new stadium, the team release did note that the demolition doesn’t mean the property will be developed.

Here’s a glimpse at the demolition under way at Arlington Heights:

The Bears started interior demolition on the property on May 30, and the entire demolition is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, per the Sun-Times. Demolition of the grandstands is expected to take about two weeks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Bears now considering stadium in Naperville as they look outside of Arlington Heights

In a statement released by the Bears, Arlington Heights is “no longer our singular focus” to build a stadium.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The Chicago Bears are now looking at additional stadium options outside of Arlington Heights. Team officials met with Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli on Friday to discuss possible options for a new stadium in the suburban city while demolition work on the Arlington Park property continues to take place.

In a statement released by Scott Hagel, senior vice president of marketing and communications, via NBC Sports Chicago the Bears say they’re looking at additional options outside of Arlington Heights.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

According to Kevin Schmit of the Daily Herald, the meeting comes a little over a week after Wehrli contacted Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren about offering up Naperville as an option for the team’s new stadium. The two met on Friday to discuss the possibility.

The Bears entered into an agreement to purchase the Arlington Park property back in September 2021 for approximately $197.2 million. A year later, team officials unveiled their vision for a mixed-use entertainment complex that would include a domed stadium on the 326 acres of land and move the team out of Soldier Field.

The team closed on the property earlier this year and demolition on certain structures from the former racetrack began this past week. But with uncertainties such as Cook County’s high property assessment and public funding for the land development outside of the actual stadium, Warren wants to consider other options.

While the Bears have flirted with other suburban options outside of Arlington Heights decades earlier, their statement on Friday is the first time they have publicly entertained other options since they agreed to purchase the land. When former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed upgrading Soldier Field last summer, the Bears maintained their focus in closing on the Arlington Park property. But due to the risks, the team is doing their due diligence.

Naperville is the fourth-largest city in Illinois, just west of Chicago. The city is outside of Cook County and can be accessed via multiple interstates and railway routes. It is unclear where in the city the Bears might be considering for a stadium site.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Bears look to begin demolition on remaining Arlington Park structures

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are taking another step towards moving to Arlington Heights.

The Chicago Bears took another step in their long road towards building a new home on Wednesday. The team filed paperwork with the village of Arlington Heights to begin demolition of the remaining structures of Arlington International Racecourse. The news was first reported by Robert McCoppin and A.D. Quig of The Chicago Tribune. 

It’s the next phase of the team’s desire to build a multi-purpose entertainment district on the property after they officially closed on the land earlier this year. The Bears entered into an agreement deal on the property back in September of 2021 to purchase the 326-acre land for approximately $197 million.

According to the team via the Tribune, demolition will begin with clearing out the interior of the grandstand before moving to other structures and eventually the grandstand itself. No timetable has been set for the demolition but, as Christopher Placek of the Daily Herald states, it could get underway in a matter in of weeks or even days.

The moves to buy and secure the property would seem to indicate the team’s desire to bring a new multi-purpose entertainment district, including a brand-new enclosed stadium, to the site. But team officials have emphasized time and again that any movement on the property does not mean they’re fully moving ahead with their desired plans.

There are still many more hoops to clear, including a battle to secure additional funding for the surrounding entertainment area not related to the stadium, as well as the increased property tax evaluation from $33.5 million in 2022 to $197 million by Cook County Assesor Fritz Kaegi, reported by Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business.

Tearing down the existing structures at Arlington Park is an important step, though. In order to build something new, the old pieces need to be brought down. It may seem slow but progress continues to happen as the Bears eye a new home.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Kevin Warren: Arlington Heights is sole focus for new Bears stadium

After closing on the Arlington Heights property in February, Kevin Warren said it remains the main focus for Bears’ stadium development.

Kevin Warren doesn’t begin his tenure as Bears president and CEO until April 17, but he’s been in the transition process since being hired in January.

Warren’s biggest project will be the development of the Arlington Heights property, which is expected to be the site of a new state-of-the-art stadium. The Bears officially closed on the land back in February, which means potential stadium development can start moving once Warren steps in.

“Fortunately, I’ve been through this process before,” Warren said, via ChicagoBears.com.

“That was a big part, to be able to close on the land. That was a big step. That remains our main focus from a stadium development situation. There’s a lot of work to be done. I mean, when you close on land, that’s really when the work begins. And so I’m looking forward to April 17 and still just been trying to transition, gather information and stay up to speed. But I’ll really dive in once I start.”

Last fall, the Bears confirmed they’d reached an agreement to acquire the 326 acres of property — and they’ve already revealed initial plans for the property. After closing on the land, the Bears are one step closer to building a new state-of-the-art stadium.

But what’s the next step?

“Now you have to get all the legislation done, work through all the political elements, design the stadium, make sure it comes to life,” Warren said, via Adam Hoge.

Warren added that it takes typically about 36 months from the time you put a shovel into the ground to have it come to life.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=417188151]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]