03 June 2023 , 17:04
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The Chicago Bears are considering new locations for a new stadium - despite the NFC North franchise purchasing land at Arlington Heights.
On Friday, the Bears suggested they could consider abandoning their plan to move to a new stadium at Arlington Heights with the franchise considering other locations. This news coming after the franchise already purchased land at the Arlington Heights site for $197.2million.
Back in September, the organisation said they would not accept public funding for the construction of the stadium, although Chicago did expect aid in a surrounding ‘entertainment district’. The land at Arlington Heights appeared perfect, but a property assessment led the Bears to believe the property taxes for the site are too high so the area is "no longer our singular focus".
“It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois,” the Bears said in a statement. “The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state.
“However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state.”
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The Bears hoped for the entertainment district to include restaurants, offices, a hotel, fitness center and more. The franchise hoped the project would "provide considerable economic benefits to Cook County".
The Chicago Bears have played in Soldier Field since 1971 (Getty Images)Last summer, the city of Chicago proposed an overhaul of Soldier Field, the multi-purpose stadium renowned as the home of the Bears. The stadium opened in 1924 and underwent reconstruction in 2003, with the Bears moving into the ground in 1971.
The city suggested enclosing Soldier Field and increasing its capacity from 61,500 - the lowest in the NFL. However, the Bears have repeatedly insisted the only available options were for the Arlington Heights site.
“It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois,” the Bears - who cannot exit their lease on Soldier Field until 2026 - added in their statement.