Farewell to an Iconic NFL Stadium as Ambitious $630M Redevelopment Plan Unveiled — End of an Era Signals Bold New Chapter for Pro Football Site
A LEGENDARY NFL stadium could be history as a $630m plan has been revealed for the location post-pro football.
The Chicago Bears are considering relocating to the state of Indiana.
An aerial view of Soldier Field in Chicago
A view inside of Soldier Field, the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, in 2023
The Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971.
But the franchise is all but ready to move away from the iconic stadium and the state of Illinois to build a new “world class” facility across state lines near Hammond, Indiana.
Last week, Indiana lawmakers in the state House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved an amendment to Indiana Senate Bill 27, creating a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which can issue bonds, acquire land, and build and lease a stadium.
As the Bears take a step closer to relocating, the Chicago Park District has pitched a $630m plan to remake Solder Field into a top concern and events venue, per Fox 32 Chicago.
The proposal would include $130m in direct stadium renovations, a new sound system and new dressing rooms, and half a billion in surrounding infrastructure to handle traffic and parking, the report added.
Park District officials revealed most of the money would be paid by the Bears, who will owe close to $90 million if they break their lease with the Park District before 2033.
Officials are also “pitching state lawmakers on a funding package that would include money from the state’s road fund – paid for by motor fuel taxes – to help with the infrastructure upgrades.”
The current lease prhoibs the stadium from hosting any non-Bears events within five days of a home game.
The Bears’ eventual reloaction means a Bears loss will allow for a busier August and September, and a more useable Soldier Field throughout the year.
The Bears didn’t hide their excitement about the unanimous vote in Indiana.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” a statement from the Bears said.
“We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
However, Arlington Heights officials remain optimistic that the Bears will move there instead.
Arlington Heights Village Manager Randy Recklaus held a meeting with the Bears, Illinois House and Senate leadership and representatives from the Governor’s office.
Recklaus said the team “reassured us” that Indiana’s announcement “does not mean that there’s been a pivot to Indiana.”
