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CHICAGO - The possible future owner of the White Sox revealed new renderings of a potential stadium development along the south branch of the Chicago River that would also include residential, commercial, retail, and medical opportunities.
What we know:
Known as "The Railyards" district, the development would convert what White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia’s company called "long-underutilized rail and industrial land" into the new home for the team, according to a news release.
"The Railyards is about turning idle land into opportunity — for patients who need better access to care, for a team and its fans who deserve a dynamic Riverfront home, and for a city that needs jobs, housing, and economic investment," said Ishbia, the controlling shareholder of Canal Edge, in a statement. "This is a Chicago project, built by and for Chicagoans, and we are excited about its potential."
Ishbia has an agreement in place with current White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf that would allow him to take over the franchise after the 2034 season. Reinsdorf has the option to sell the franchise as soon as 2029.
Ishbia’s firm purchased the land, a 47-acre rail yard in the South Loop, earlier this year.
The possible future owner of the White Sox revealed new renderings of a potential stadium development along the south branch of the Chicago River that would also include residential, commercial, retail, and medical opportunities.
The company said the development would stretch from Roosevelt Road to the north to 18th Street to the south along the western edge of the Chicago River.
Ishbia's company said the new ballpark would be at the center of the development and would be a "year-round gathering place, not just a game-day destination." Still, the concept is in its early stages with transportation and environmental studies underway.
The White Sox's existing lease for Rate Field does not end until 2029.
Along with the stadium, the proposed development would include a Northwestern Medicine health facility, residential, commercial and retail properties, according to the news release.
"The South Loop presents an opportunity to create something bigger than a healthcare facility or a stadium. It's an opportunity to strengthen an entire community," said Dr. Howard Chrisman, president and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, in a statement. "When Northwestern Medicine invests in a community, we are investing in health, jobs, opportunity and Chicago's longterm future."
The proposed development would be right across the river from The 78, another megadevelopment site where the Chicago Fire are building a new 22,000-seat stadium.
What we don't know:
It was unclear when plans for such a development would be finalized and be presented for consideration to White Sox ownership or the Chicago City Council.
What they're saying:
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward), whose ward would contain the "vast majority" of the proposed development, released a statement reacting to the news:
"I look forward to engaging with the White Sox, 28th Ward residents, and my colleagues in the City Council about a development that has the potential to create good-paying jobs for Chicagoans, improve our transportation infrastructure, and provide a long-term home for one of our city’s storied franchises.
"At the same time, Chicago faces significant fiscal challenges, and any proposal must protect taxpayers and demonstrate that the public benefits justify any public investment. I will approach these discussions with an open mind and a clear focus on what is in the best interests of the 28th Ward and the City of Chicago."
The other side:
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th Ward) and Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley released a joint statement reacting to the proposed move of the White Sox stadium from Rate Field in Bridgeport to the South Loop location:
"Today’s announcement from Justin Ishbia represents nothing less than a betrayal to the community that the White Sox have called home and relied upon as their most loyal fan base for 116 years. For 116 years, Bridgeport and the entire 11th Ward has supported this team. We have accepted inconvenience–and done so without complaint–out of deep reverence for our team. Generations have grown up walking over to the ballpark with our kids and parents. Working class residents have spent their hard earned money on season tickets, merchandise, concessions, year after year, in support of this team. Ishbia’s new proposal demonstrates a profound disrespect for the team’s own fan base and for our city. If approved, this would drive a knife into the heart of this community, abandoning Bridgeport and sticking us with an empty stadium and 24/7 Amtrak maintenance facility in a residential neighborhood, with no protections against the environmental impacts, not to mention the economic ones.
"To anyone who believes the delusion that this plan would be fully privately financed–we have an empty baseball stadium to sell you. Any request for tax breaks and TIF dollars in support of this plan should be roundly rejected.
"Rate Field, which is just 35 years old and was built with $137 million in taxpayer subsidies, has plenty more life to give. We strongly support the idea that we must modernize Rate Field and the surrounding area to serve the interests of both the White Sox organization and the community. We have repeatedly made clear that we stand ready to work with this team to present a comprehensive plan to that effect. That remains true. The current ownership of the team has always been responsive to and communicative with our community, and we have watched as they’ve moved forward a thoughtful plan around the 1901 project on the West Side. We cannot imagine the current ownership is comfortable with this brash approach.
"The 11th Ward is strong, we are organized, and we are adamant. We urge every official with a say in this plan to stand with us and reject it wholesale."