Because the Chicago Bears proceed to publicly stress that their stadium focus stays on Chicago’s lakefront, all however cementing a shift away from Arlington Heights, Bears President Kevin Warren on Tuesday gave a number of the most telling solutions but on what that would imply for the Chicago suburb.
“We’re the biggest landowner in Arlington Heights proper now – 326 acres,” Warren informed reporters, together with NBC Sports activities Chicago’s Josh Schrock. “We personal a ravishing piece of land.”
So what does the way forward for Arlington Park appear like and not using a huge soccer stadium being constructed?
What comes subsequent for the property has not but been determined, Warren mentioned. And it appears there is no rush to determine that half out.
“It is good to personal land and on the applicable time we’ll deal with what’s the greatest use of that land,” Warren mentioned. “However for now, you realize, the vitality, you realize, and the efforts of our people internally, however, you realize, with our consultants and possession is concentrated on Chicago. But it surely’s not unhealthy to personal 326 acres in Arlington Heights.”
Requested if Arlington Heights would have an opportunity to make one other supply if the Bears bought all the pieces in keeping with the lakefront concept, Warren was clear about the place the Bears’ new stadium can be.
“The plan can be to place a shovel within the floor on the lakefront,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, when requested concerning the Bears’ pivot to the lakefront and the steam their plan is gaining, Warren famous there’s a lengthy approach to go.
Kevin Warren spoke to the media on Wednesday morning concerning the future Bears’ stadium. Warren talked concerning the metropolis of Chicago proudly owning the Bears stadium once more and why it is not a problem he’s nervous about
“All of those initiatives are, you realize, that is an important phrase, they require momentum. They require imaginative and prescient,” Warren mentioned. “They require tenacity. They require quite a lot of thought and planning, however additionally they require momentum. And I strongly consider that we’re constructing momentum to that museum space.
“So when you have got that mixture of the museum, the lakefront, the seaside, the structure, and most of all, what makes Chicago particular is the individuals. And so when you’ll be able to combine that collectively, you do get nice momentum, however it should require quite a lot of work as we proceed ahead.”
When pressed for a agency timeline, Warren gave a broad hope for issues to get achieved in 2024.
“I actually consider that that is the yr that we’ve got to drag collectively and collectively, throughout the state and throughout town and the county to do all the pieces we probably can, in a fashion that is sensible, not being reckless, however in a fashion that is sensible to drag collectively,” he mentioned. “And then you definately add the being an election yr on high of it. So there are quite a lot of points. And there are all the time quite a lot of points. Each one in all these growth initiatives has issues, however I am a type of people that I have a look at it as not solely hurdles, however actually alternatives and simply to suppose how particular it could be to drag collectively.”
Warren’s feedback come after Arlington Heights leaders mentioned that nothing had modified when it got here to negotiations over a possible stadium within the suburb, regardless of the Bears asserting plans to take a position $2 billion stadium alongside the Chicago lakefront.
“The chance that the Chicago Bears may discover a totally different location has remained an possibility since day one and this undertaking has by no means been thought of a ‘achieved deal’ in Arlington Heights,” the village mentioned in an announcement. “The final word final result of their present discussions with the Metropolis of Chicago is unknown.”
For months, a transfer to Arlington Heights appeared all however sure for the Bears. The crew purchased Arlington Park final yr for almost $200 million however hit an impediment with the property taxes within the type of authorized negotiations with native college districts concerning the worth of the location.
In an announcement issued final week, college districts 15, 211 and 214 mentioned they’ve “aimed for transparency and equity in these discussions” and “shifting ahead, our most important concern is guaranteeing that any college students ensuing from this growth obtain the schooling they deserve.”
“In our negotiations with the Bears relating to property taxes throughout the website’s redevelopment, we provided a number of proposals, together with one for 5 years, that may meet their request for predictable tax funds and the typical annual fee of $5 million they’ve been in search of,” the districts mentioned in an announcement. “Nonetheless, the Bears didn’t settle for these proposals.”
“The Board of Overview choice on the 2023 evaluation, which considers the property’s sale value and appraisal stories, strikes an inexpensive steadiness in property valuation at roughly $125 million,” the assertion continued. “Its function is to deal with all taxpayers pretty and persistently, together with the Bears.”
Village leaders within the suburb introduced forth a brand new tax proposal final week, although it could appear that wasn’t sufficient to carry the Bears’ consideration again.
Kevin Warren spoke to the media on Wednesday morning concerning the plans for the Bears’ new stadium. Warren revealed they are going to be releasing each photograph and video renderings quickly
“The village will solely help the event and idea that will increase tax revenues for the village above present ranges even after factoring in any new prices incurred from the presence of the undertaking,” Village of Arlington Heights Supervisor Randy Recklaus mentioned in a gathering Monday.
The village supervisor mentioned the proposal permits the Bears to pay $6.3 million in taxes the primary yr and $3.6 million within the second yr.
“We perceive the Bears in search of taxation extra in keeping with comparable properties within the space, however we are also supportive of the college districts’ objective of guaranteeing that these are sufficient tax {dollars} to fund obligatory companies now and sooner or later,” mentioned Recklaus.
Village leaders consider the proposal is honest and smart however mentioned finally the Bears and faculty districts should agree. They’re nonetheless awaiting response from each side.