As Chicago begins to peek its head out from the colder months, our data portal shows the effects, in the form of new construction permits to allow for tent setups. Lots of tent setups. And those aren’t usually of much interest to us as we monitor development in the city. But this one’s a bigger deal than most.
A tent permit issued by the City of Chicago indicates that the Chicago Fire will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their new soccer stadium on March 3. The permit, issued on February 23 to the address of 1335 South Lumber Street, allows for tent to be in place from February 26 through March 5 for the one-day event to be held on Tuesday the 3rd.
Rendering of the Chicago Fire FC stadium by Gensler
The Chicago Fire will use the stadium for more than soccer. Rendering by Gensler
Other permits for the construction of the stadium are addressed as 1331 South Wells Street, and two of them are currently pending in the Chicago Data Portal. The first one, pending since October 24, allows for vertical piles to support the four-story stadium. The second permit, which just hit the portal on February 20, allows for shallow foundations. With the groundbreaking date set for less than a week from now, we should expect permission for the piles to come through any day.
Phase 1 development, via Chicago Plan Commission presentation
Phase 1 riverfront, via Chicago Plan Commission presentation, designed by Gensler
The Chicago Plan Commission approved the new stadium in September of last year. Zoning Committee and City Council approvals followed shortly thereafter. The $650 million South Loop facility, privately funded by team owner and chairman Joe Mansueto, is designed by Gensler, and will be built with Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, and ALL Construction Group working together as general contractors. The Chicago Fire plan to have the 22,000-seat stadium ready for their 2028 MLS season.
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Dear god I hope those parking lots don’t stay for 20 years. Also, there has been construction at the United Center as of last week. Is this the beginning of 1901?
I’m monitoring 1901 West Madison for 1901 Project permits, and none of those have been issued yet. It is possible they are using other addresses and I haven’t noticed. What kind of work is happening over there?
They’ve been ripping out pavement mostly, with fencing and staging going up where the vertical parking lot is supposed to be I think. It’s easy to see from the 50 Damen bus!
Ah, site prep. Yeah, I would imagine that’s for The Big One.
Lovely renderings can’t wait to see it
This is in a TIF district. The developer will be receiving tax money, so this is not completely privately funded.
Correct, though the way it’s phrased in the above update is also correct. The _stadium_ is being entirely paid for by Mansueto. Related Midwest will use TIF funds for infrastructure improvements (roads, sewers and water mains, walkways) across the entire site.
So its similar to how the United Center was built in the 1990s, and a big improvement over things like the 1980s’ New Comiskey Park boondoggle and the Bears’ intended outcome now.
It’s honestly shocking how pro-socialist the discourse gets when sports are involved. Comment after comment on how IL is fubling and how we deserve the Bears to move onward. But dare apply this logic to other projects in the region… might as well be burned at the stake.
I did not want a casino at the 78. It was not the right anchor, and other supporting services/businesses are far better situated along the river’s northern branch. As for this site supporting a stadium? I’m most worried about how people will get in and out. Maybe a stadium is what this massive site needed to finally get steam, and now we can start to redensify the hole left by all those townhomes across the way, but the details are what will make or break this area. Fingers crossed, the TIF funds do what they were initially intended to address, and thank goodness for a sports team working with the people and not demanding a red carpet just to exist. The fans are what make the sports team. I wish that logic were more prevalent, rather than team owners treating us as pawns.
Noting the Clark St/LaSalle extension, how does this connect to the north under Roosevelt? Is there a surface ROW underneath the Roosevelt Connection? Looks like this is where the TIF money is going.
Wells connects at ground level under Roosevelt. LaSalle/Roosevelt is at the upper level, connecting to Roosevelt the Delano Ct stop light. LaSalle next to Metra is sloped to connect the levels. The plaza between 13th and the stadium has been touted as a “Spanish Steps” sort of vision (with ADA features).