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35th street improvements coming


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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.)

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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 by Athomeboy_2000
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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. :(

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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