go here for the Prelude
go here for part 1...the Problem
go here for part 2...why a new ballpark
But today we'll look at what will likely be done with the old ballpark.
The future Wrigley?
What should happen:
We already know that this off season will see some changes to the bathrooms, concourses, and concessions. These will be relatively minor alterations to the ballpark. One other thing that is going to be done is creating a new Club on the Luxury Box level which will replace some of the less used party suites down the left field line. Last year, the Captain Morgan Club replaced the old Stadium Club. This new area will be the replacement for that Stadium Club. Why is this so important, since most fans won’t be able to use it? That will be just the first of many changes on the mezzanine level of the ballpark. The luxury boxes, which really aren't that luxurious, are going to go through a significant face lift. No talk of adding new luxury boxes to the ballpark have been made yet, but I think it is a good possibility that more will be added in some way in the next 5 years.
The press box, which was added in 1989, is quite out of date as well. Two possibilities exist for renovating that...one would be to relocate the press box...possibly on the roof behind home plate (requiring a significant structural change, as the roof over the upper deck is a rather flimsy construct). The other possiblilty would be to expand the current press boxes, which would take over a section or two of the upper deck seats. To add extra room, the pressbox structrure would probably be expanded in the rear as well, creating an overhang on top of the patio area of the upper deck.
And speaking of the patio area, don't be surprised if additional areas like that are created in the upperdeck...maybe even an upper deck concourse that is of a similar style as the patio, and stretches the entire length of the grandstand. Doing something like this would also mean that the ramps to the upperdeck would need to be replaced and moved. All of this is within the realm of possibility.
The patio over the Marquis could be expanded.
One of the surest things that will happen, and the costliest item on the list, will be the creation of the "Triangle Building" off of Clark St. between Addison and Waveland. Originally intended to be part of the deal to expand the bleachers, this project has been delayed for 5 years now.
The Triangle Building will provide a number of things for the Cubs..
- Office space, which is desperately lacking in the ballpark right now.
- A Cubs museum...to chronicle a century plus of crappy baseball.
- VIP parking. Because...well they are VIPs!
- Restaurants
- Gift shop.
The Triangle Building will be the single most important project the Cubs have undertaken in 20 years...since the lights, luxury boxes and press boxes were built. With the moving of the gift shop and offices to the Triangle Building, the Cubs will be able to finally expand out some of the concourses, and more importantly, renovate the clubhouse and player facilities.
What might happen:
The Ricketts's have said that the Cubs are not looking to put a video board into the ballpark...but I think it will come before 2014. Look for the Cubs to use some negotiating power with their "spite boards" to work out a deal with the Budweiser/Horseshoe Casino building across the street on Waveland. This would be the likeliest place to put up a video board. It is the largest free space around the ballpark, and most of the stadium would be able to view the board in that location.
The Cubs do own some lots around the Wrigleyville area. They are currently used as surface parking lots. The Cubs could look at making more formal parking garages out of these properties over the next few years. This could meet with some opposition as more parking means more traffic. But I think the Cubs would like to have the ability to raise more funds by having people pay them for parking as opposed to the money going to all the building owners giving up their property for parking.
What probably won't happen:
A third deck/added seating: I believe the Cubs would love to try to add more seats into the ballpark, as it is a guaranteed way of making money. But with the structural limitations of the ballpark, and the traffic problems around the ballpark, don't count on the capacity of the ballpark to expand any more.
A new facade to the ballpark: The current facade is almost disgraceful. Unfortunately it isn't likely to change. The Tribune promised, when they bought the team, that the concrete facade along Addison St and Sheffield, would go away. It didn't. And I have lost all hope that it will ever go away. The rest of the facade around Wrigley isn't likely go change much either. When the Triangle Building is built, that Clark side of the ballpark will be obscured. The Bleachers have already been redone...so there's no need to change that. The area of the ballpark at the interesection of Clark and Addison has the marquis on it, so that isn't likely to change. Wrigley will likely continue to have the ugliest exterior of any building in the neighborhood. And that's too bad.
Major reconfiguration of the seating area: Don't expect a reconfiguration of the seats to add and widen aisles and add leg and elbow room for the seats. You can expect to be just as uncomfortable at Wrigley as you were in the 1940s. Oh joy!
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There you have it. After the 2010 season, expect Crane Kenney and Tom Ricketts to announce a 4 year plan for renovations at Wrigley Field where they will outline many of the things I have listed here. Construction of the Triangle Building will likely begin after the 2010 season...with completion some time in 2012.
All of this is building up to the Cubs bidding for the 2014 All-Star game. The would be the highlight of the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field celebrations. The Cubs should have an excellent chance of getting that game. (The last All-Star game at Wrigley was in 1990.)
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