The Chicago Bears won't be leaving the city for suburban Arlington Heights after all, instead opting to help construct a lakefront domed stadium on land just to the south of their longtime home — the open-air Soldier Field.
"The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public to enjoy in the City of Chicago, the team said in a statement, as reported by ABC affiliate WLS. "The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region-boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized."
Sources said the project would increase open space by nearly 20 percent and will include all-season free and accessible plazas, paths and landscaped planted areas with access to the lakefront so that it could be a year-round community asset for everyone to enjoy.
Sources familiar with the Bears' plan confirm that the team is investing private money to build a publicly-owned domed stadium on the lakefront. The dome aspect allows Chicago to be considered as a potential host for future Super Bowls and the NCAA basketball Final Four.
"This is a huge shift from the Bears plan to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights on land that the team now owns," Jessica D'Onofrio of WLS reported. "Now the focus for the build-site is moving back to Museum Campus — more specifically, the parking area south of Soldier Field."
Just last week, news broke that the Bears and Chicago White Sox were open to pursuing public money in partnership, facilitating for the construction of their respective venues.
Related: White Sox, Bears Discussing 'Financing Partnership' for Respective Stadiums
With the Bears now appearing set to "go it alone," as D'Onofrio put it, "huge questions remain about where all the money will come from to fund the stadium."
The Bears have yet to come out with an official statement.
