Momentum for Chicago Bears stadium project may be shifting back toward Arlington Heights

Yahoo

02-04-2025

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Less than a year after the Chicago Bears delivered a grand presentation with a vision for a new multibillion-dollar stadium on the Museum Campus downtown, the train for the team's stadium project may be switching tracks toward Arlington Heights.
After the NFL owners meetings concluded Wednesday at The Breakers resort, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren confirmed the team no longer has a singular focus on building its new stadium downtown.
'The focus now is both downtown and Arlington Heights,' Warren said. 'One thing I have said before is that these are not linear processes or projects. They take time. They take a lot of energy and effort. And I am very, very pleased with where we are.'
While far from surprising, that's an attention-grabbing change in rhetoric from the top of the Bears organization. Warren praised the potential for a massive development on the 326 acres the team owns in Arlington Heights on the site of the former Arlington Park racetrack. His outward enthusiasm for that site was significantly higher than it had been in quite some time.
'It's an absolutely fantastic piece of land,' Warren said. 'I thank the McCaskey family, led by George, for having the foresight to purchase that land.'
Warren said the next step will be conducting traffic and financial feasibility studies for both potential projects. But his emphatic commendation of the suburban site was notable, as he highlighted the appealing topography of the land, the Metra station adjacent to the property and ample room for an accompanying entertainment district and mixed-use development.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey shared Warren's enthusiasm and noted the vision his grandfather and franchise founder had in Arlington Heights.
'George Halas identified it more than 50 years ago as an ideal place for a Bears stadium,' McCaskey said. 'And I don't know if anything that has happened since then changed that evaluation.'
Halas first flirted with the idea of moving the Bears to Arlington Heights in 1975 before the team extended its lease at Soldier Field in 1980.
The Bears haven't closed the door on the Warren-led vision to keep the team playing on the lakefront downtown. And McCaskey was quick to point out the pluses of a possible new stadium on the Museum Campus.
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'Kevin has said it since he has been here: (That's a) beautiful spot by the lake,' McCaskey said. 'It's idyllic, and if there were sufficient improvements in infrastructure to make that location accessible 365 days of the year, it can be a fantastic opportunity as well.'
Those improvements, however, might be too far-fetched and costly to create the necessary momentum within the city and state legislatures. With an estimated price tag approaching $1.5 billion for needed infrastructure, the Bears' downtown pitch hasn't gained much traction over the last year among lawmakers and politicians.
An Arlington Heights project also would require funding for infrastructure such as roads, highways, sewers and other transportation-related support. But that cost, Warren told the Tribune, has been estimated at roughly half of what would be needed in downtown Chicago, another factor that seems to give the suburban option momentum.
The Bears continue to pledge $2 billion for stadium construction and have not asked for public subsidies in that area. Warren said design plans are halfway finished for a stadium that would be compatible in either Arlington Heights or Chicago.
'We're not looking for any public dollars from a construction standpoint, especially in this climate,' Warren said. 'That reiterates the commitment the McCaskey family has to the Chicago Bears fans.
'I've said this all along: When is the last time that a private family, a private company, has committed over $2 billion toward a stadium?'
The Bears are aware they need to drum up support in Springfield and beyond to push their stadium efforts forward.
'We need to convince the governor and the General Assembly that a stadium, regardless of where it is in Illinois, will be great for the state of Illinois,' McCaskey said.
Speaking with media Wednesday on an unrelated conference call, Gov. JB Pritzker said: 'We welcome the idea that the Bears would stay in the city of Chicago. I've always said that that would be my personal preference because I've known them always to be a Chicago-based team.'
Pritzker declined to comment further, saying he hasn't heard from the team that it's still considering the lakefront project.
While the Bears initially ran into obstacles with tax dynamics in Arlington Heights, progress has since been made with three suburban school districts to pave the way toward a more palatable tax setup for the team.
Warren is pushing for longer-term assurances on that front.
'We don't want tax certainty for the first five years with a building you hope lasts for 30 or 40 years,' he said. 'We want to pay our taxes, but you don't want to find yourself in the position where 15 years down the road, your tax bill quadruples. That just doesn't make sense. It's not good for business — for anyone.'
A pond is in the center of the track at the former Arlington International Racecourse following the monthslong demolition, March 12, 2024, in Arlington Heights. The grandstand used to stand where the two-tone gravel is in the upper middle of the frame. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) The former Arlington International Racecourse on March 12, 2024, in Arlington Heights. The Bears purchased the Arlington Heights property last year. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneThe grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse is dismantled on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneThe shell of the grandstand remains at the former Arlington International Racecourse as crews continue to demolish it on Aug. 31, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneCrews demolish the grandstand and surrounding structures at the former Arlington International Racecourse on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribunePeople wait for a Metra train in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneA Metra train arrives as the station in Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneDowntown Arlington Heights features a small park, condos, retail shopping and dining on Sept. 29, 2021. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneNewsstand owner Dilip Patel in his store inside the Metra station in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021, after the Bears announced they''d entered a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse as a potential new stadium site. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneRiders wait for a Metra train at the station in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneChildren run through the intersection of Vail Avenue and Campbell Street as twin sisters Desi and Tedi Tsvetanska perform on their violas in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneFrom left, Saurabh Patel, 17-month-old Raina, and Bindi Patel dine outside at Armand''s Pizzeria in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribunePeople walk through the intersection of Vail Avenue and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneAudience members listen as representatives from the Bears present their concept for building a stadium and entertainment district on the site of Arlington International Racecourse during an informational public meeting at Hersey High School on Sept. 8, 2022. Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago TribuneArlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on May 1, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneWorkers gather in a parking lot outside of the former Arlington Park to begin demolition on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneConstruction equipments is lined up outside the former Arlington International Racecourse, June 13, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition continues on the grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse on July 11, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneThe grandstand of the former Arlington International Racecourse is razed on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneCondos and apartments in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneSelso Nunez, of Palatine, dressed in Bears garb, peeks over the gate of Arlington International Racecourse as he looks for a spot to watch the fireworks following a day of races on Sept. 25, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneThe Flynn family dines outside at Hey Nonny restaurant and listening room on Vail Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneA person crosses the street in front of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneThe former Arlington International Racecourse is shown behind the Arlington Park Metra train station on Oct. 28, 2021. After buying the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights in 2023, the Chicago Bears proposed building a $2 billion stadium there as part of a 326-acre development including entertainment and residential uses. (Chicago Bears) Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago TribuneClouds pass over the now closed Arlington Park International Racecourse on Sept. 6, 2022, in Arlington Heights. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneA rendering of the plan is shown as representatives from the Chicago Bears present their concept for building a new stadium and entertainment district on the site of Arlington International Racecourse during a public meeting at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights on Sept. 8, 2022. Hart Howerton/Chicago BearsA rendering released by the Chicago Bears shows the view from the proposed stadium of the Arlington Park entertainment district. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago TribuneThe synthetic racing surface is being removed from the track at the Arlington Park International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Feb. 8, 2023. Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago TribuneThe Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on May 1, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneConstruction equipment stands ready for expected demolition at the former Arlington International Racecourse at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition continues on the grounds of the former Arlington International Racecourse on June 13, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition crews hired by the Chicago Bears begin knocking down the grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse on June 16, 2023, in Arlington Heights. The Bears are looking at the site for possibly a new stadium for the team. Trent Sprague/Chicago TribuneDemolition continues of the main grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 1, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition of the grandstand continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Aug. 7, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition of the grandstand continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Aug. 7, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneDemolition continues on the grandstand and surrounding structures at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneApartments and condos in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneA server takes an order for a customer wearing a Chicago Bears shirt, while she and others eat outdoors at Scratchboard Kitchen on Sept. 29, 2021. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribunePeople in a park at the corner of Vail and Campbell in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneDan and Casey Beedon dine at Hey Nonny restaurant and listening room on Vail Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneA couple walks through the intersection of Vail Avenue and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago TribuneArlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Feb.8, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneA Metra train passes the former Arlington International Racecourse at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Trent Sprague/Chicago TribuneDemolition continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Aug. 1, 2023. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribunePeople walk through downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribunePeople mill about in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneThe Metra train station in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneArlington Park International Racecourse in Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race last Saturday. Antonio Perez / Chicago TribuneCustomers sit outdoors in the Arlington Alfresco area, enjoying conversation and food, in downtown Arlington Heights, Sept. 29, 2021. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race last Saturday. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneOwner Tim Grodek works the lunch hour at his Peggy Kinnane''s restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021 after the Bears announced they''d entered a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse as a potential new stadium site. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribunePeople cross the Metra tracks in Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneDiners eat outside Peggy Kinnane''s in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneRalph Covert with String Section performs at Hey Nonny on Vail Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneTwin sisters Desi Tchalukov, left, and Tedi Tsvetanska perform on their violas at the corner of Vail Avenue and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021. Erin Hooley / Chicago TribuneArlington Park International Racecourse on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race. Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneA person crosses through Harmony Park at Campbell Street and Vail Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights on Jan. 18, 2023. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago TribuneTownhomes are seen across from the Arlington Park International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Feb. 8, 2023. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago TribuneA view of the former grandstand of Arlington Park International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Feb. 8, 2023. Stacey Wescott/Chicago TribuneThe former Arlington International Racecourse at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Demolition is expected to begin soon. Trent Sprague/Chicago TribuneCrews demolish the main grandstand of the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, July 14, 2023. The site is the possible future home of the Chicago Bears. Trent Sprague/Chicago TribuneMain grandstand demolition continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Aug. 1, 2023. Show Caption1 of 63An aerial photo of the former Arlington International Racecourse on March 12, 2024, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)Expand
At the owners meetings in Florida, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fielded what has become an annual spring question about the progress of the Bears' stadium efforts. He acknowledged the complexity of the stadium exploration process, which essentially began in June 2021 when the Bears first entered into a purchase agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. for the Arlington Park land.
'Those discussions, you expect, are going to be thorough,' Goodell told reporters during a news conference. 'There are going to be twists and turns through that process. And then you get to the process of having to actually build once you make those decisions. There's a lot to do.'
Goodell's wife, Jane Skinner, is a Chicago-area native, an alumna of Lake Forest High School and Northwestern and a Bears fan. So the commissioner has at least some heightened interest in the team's stadium project.
'I know how important the Bears are to that community,' Goodell said. 'Everyone wants the right long-term solution, and those are the types of discussions that are happening.'
Those discussions will take on heightened urgency with Warren sticking to his vow to break ground before this year ends.
'My goal still remains to be able to move dirt around in 2025,' he said. 'Which is important because there is a lot of preconstruction work that needs to go into these projects.'
Settling on a site is the next big step. A potential Arlington Heights project may have greater momentum now than the city option.
'Both have their pluses and minuses,' McCaskey said. 'Both present fantastic opportunities. And we'll just have to see how it plays out.'
Tribune reporters Olivia Olander and Sean Hammond contributed.