southsider2k5 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 http://cbs2chicago.com/sports/white.sox.re....2.1281752.html WBBM 780: Sox Planning Restaurant, Bars On 35th St WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reporting Picture it as a little bit of Wrigleyville on the South Side. Many Chicagoans have long complained that when they go to a White Sox game on the South Side, there aren't any restaurants or bars right outside the stadium like there are outside Wrigley Field when they go to Cubs game. WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports that a new plan for the area outside U.S. Cellular Field could change that. As WBBM's Steve Miller reports exclusively, there's a plan to put a restaurant and retail shops on 35th Street across the street from U-S Cellular Field. Under the plan, the block where the original Comiskey Park once stood could become home to an entertainment complex that would hopefully bring more fans out to see White Sox games. "Hopefully a couple of restaurants, a sports bar and some retail," said Perri Irmer, CEO for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the developer and owner of U.S. Cellular Field. She said they're studying "various funding options" for the building. "Our objective is to provide the community and the White Sox fan base with entertainment and options and a vibrant area that they can visit before and after games and all year," Irmer said, adding that any development would have to be market-driven. Ald. James Balcer (11th) represents the Bridgeport neighborhood, home to U.S. Cellular Field. He said he likes the plan. "Everything is ready to go. We've just got to get the economy percolating a little bit more and we'll have some nice shops there and a nice restaurant," Balcer said. "It would be good for the neighborhood, good for the Sox, good for everyone in Chicago. It's a great thing, and there's plenty of parking over by Cellular Field that can accommodate this." A spokesman for the White Sox said they're not aware of any plan, but an insider said the Sox just aren't ready to roll it out yet. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Very cool. My only question is going to be how well it will do in the off-season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 30, 2009 -> 05:41 PM) Very cool. My only question is going to be how well it will do in the off-season. With the removal of the Robert Taylor homes, the replacement with condos, retail and a hotel, just east of the park... as well as improvements to IIT's campus area, a new Metra stop in 2010 at 35th, and some nice newer residential development in Bridgeport in recent years... I'd say its a lot more sustainable now than if they'd tried this 10 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 I wonder more what they will do for parking. That is a pretty busy area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2009 -> 07:18 PM) I wonder more what they will do for parking. That is a pretty busy area. The article claims they will make use of the current White Sox lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 30, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) The article claims they will make use of the current White Sox lots. Yeah but, the way the article describes it, they are building this stuff on top of what are already existing lots for the park. This would reduce parking while increasing demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 This makes me so happy I could slap yo mama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLAK Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2009 -> 05:23 PM) http://cbs2chicago.com/sports/white.sox.re....2.1281752.html I always thought the Reinsdorf family owned the parking lots, not the ISFA. Urban legend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 So this new revenue from parking means wie'll totally sign brian gil;es? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 They should build a VIP parking garage which is attached to the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeynach Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Lol this exclusive from WBBM is about a year late. I have all the schematics for the plan from the design firm and have had them for over a year. I posted them here like a year ago. Its funny how exclusive WBBM is though. Here is a sample of what I got. existing_vs_proposed.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quin Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 What should we call it now? My vote would be Sox Square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeynach Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) What should we call it now? My vote would be Sox Square. Love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) What should we call it now? My vote would be Sox Square. JR's Retirement Fund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyho7476 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (joeynach @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) Lol this exclusive from WBBM is about a year late. I have all the schematics for the plan from the design firm and have had them for over a year. I posted them here like a year ago. Its funny how exclusive WBBM is though. Here is a sample of what I got. I recall...each game this year I pointed out where the new shops/restaurants would be. Either way, its exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (joeynach @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) Lol this exclusive from WBBM is about a year late. I have all the schematics for the plan from the design firm and have had them for over a year. I posted them here like a year ago. Its funny how exclusive WBBM is though. Here is a sample of what I got. I think I am the one that made that, didnt I? I remember posting something similar. Yea, we talk about this last off-season. I remember it very clearly. EDIT: Here is the thread from last year. Edited November 2, 2009 by Athomeboy_2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (knightni @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 10:38 AM) They should build a VIP parking garage which is attached to the park. I like that idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 haha, i thought this sounded familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSoxFan Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Well, if any of you venture east of the expressway (heading over to the Green Line stop), that whole area has been transformed. There's even a Jimmy John's and a Starbucks. I think there's even a huge open lot right there across from ITT. But yeah, having to hike over to Halsted now before or after the game does suck. RIP Jimbo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyho7476 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Are the housing projects south of the stadium still there? I park on the north side. That needs to go, just like all housing projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I think they should setup an area for street vendors. This is less permanent and less trendy. Something similar to what Chicago does for the taste. They could even have themes each time that allow for different vendor types. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (striker62704 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 11:31 AM) I think they should setup an area for street vendors. This is less permanent and less trendy. Something similar to what Chicago does for the taste. They could even have themes each time that allow for different vendor types. THat's an interesting idea. While that idea may or may not work, what they should TRY to do is find a way to make the park more of a "community" outside the park. Find a way to bring a neighborhood style to a bland ballpark community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 07:16 PM) THat's an interesting idea. While that idea may or may not work, what they should TRY to do is find a way to make the park more of a "community" outside the park. Find a way to bring a neighborhood style to a bland ballpark community. My thoughts exactly. Vendors would being uniqueness that you otherwise couldn't get at your neighborhood mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy Kool Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (tonyho7476 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 11:24 AM) Are the housing projects south of the stadium still there? I park on the north side. That needs to go, just like all housing projects. What year is this? The Taylor homes were demolished in 2007 and residents moved out in 2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 QUOTE (Big Daddy Kool @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 12:33 PM) What year is this? The Taylor homes were demolished in 2007 and residents moved out in 2005. He might be referring to the smaller structures immediately south of the park - but I think the taller ones are retirement homes, and the shorter ones further south MIGHT be section 8 housing. I am not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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