The Chicago Bears continue their site selection process for a new stadium with the release of sample renderings of amenities within a potential Hammond site. In the works for multiple years now, the multi-billion-dollar team is still refining plans for a partially publicly funded facility and district as the end of their lease at Soldier Field looms.
Potential site area for Hammond stadium via Google Maps
The details came in the form of a user survey sent to pass holders and general guests about the team building a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, just over the state line. It is worth noting that the team sent a similar survey for their Arlington Heights property over a year ago. Since then, they have moved away from the 326-acre site they purchased for over $190 million.
Rendering of suites via Bears
Earlier this year, we also covered a few of the proposed Indiana sites, centering around Hammond, with the team previously mentioning this is their sole focus, per Crain’s. The site would be around Wolf Lake, roughly 20 miles from Soldier Field. It would contain the new domed stadium along with a new mixed-use district around it.
Rendering of suites via Bears
For drivers, it would include 15,000 parking spots, 9,000 more than Soldier Field. The stadium would feature new suites and improved seating, as seen in the renderings. The team is working with Indiana to receive new extensive tax subsidies, after large swaths of Gary spent weeks without power.
Potential stadium rendering via City of Gary
This also comes while the Chicago Fire prep to erect a second crane at their privately funded stadium at The 78, the White Sox reveal images of their new privately funded riverside stadium, and the Bulls and Blackhawks continue construction on their new privately funded arena district around the United Center, though most of these will receive public funds for infrastructure.
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That looks wonderful. Can’t wait to see a game there.
Trash. If they move out of the city I’ll never go to anther bears game again
Gary Bears. Great
They waved off the proposals from Gary (and one from even farther east). Hammond is the city right alongside the Illinois and Chicago border at Lake Michigan.
literally they cannot keep the lights on, but the state has billions to throw at a domed stadium?
Indiana has a 5 billion surplus. Just FYI.
I’m okay with this proposal. Indiana is effectively subsidizing a massive amount of improvement for a Chicago suburb. We will still get a fair bit of tax benefit and this is a step in the right direction for beautifying the lake area here. It’s mostly a win win
I agree. There will also likely be spillover economic development benefits to the south side. If someone is going to waste a bunch of money, let it be Indiana.
My favorite sentence…”The team is working with Indiana to receive new extensive tax subsidies, after large swaths of Gary spent weeks without power.”
Don’t conflate the public utility NIPSCO with the state, which by the way called for an investigation of NIPSCO’s emergency response and maintenance practices. Oh by the way denigrating Indiana or Hammond will not change the outcome, only action by Illinois and Crook County politicians will. Get salty all you want just remember next time you vote.
Forget Chicagoans– it’s Indiana residents who should be outraged that their state would rather slash taxes for the billionaire bears rather than make Gary and surrounding areas livable.
Welfare Queens Chicago Bears should just move already Indiana is ready to give them the all the money they want. Just good luck keeping the lights on.
Billionaire getting a hand out from the IN state to build a stadium complex in a swamp. The tax payers in IN still owe a pile of money on the Colts stadium in Indianapolis. I feel the whole stadium construct has completely deceived the public and shake my head when these owners make these deals. Gary,IN is like a third word country but the state can give the McCaskeys $1.0b.
Ross, I felt the same way when the Cubs put in lights. I’ve gone back. Still doesn’t negate the fact that they both suck!
It’s amazing how many renderings they can provide without actually providing any clarity about location, access, transportation, etc. This is just vibes based rendering. If you removed the Bears jerseys & signage you literally wouldn’t know where any of this is in the country.
Hilariously, the first image is the Titans stadium, which just reinforces the idea that its another Manica copy/paste design with no real character.
No kidding, Heh…do you have a link for that image in connection with the Titans?
It’s in the actual picture. Look at the field. It says Titans on it. A lazy attempt at a picture from the rendering people.
LOL….though honestly this whole multi-year by Bears ownership has seemed like amateur hour.
Can this area even sustain the traffic it will receive? The road network is quite shoddy as is and degrading in quality every day, and there is 1 train stop nearby (which is generous considering its a ~25 minute walk minimum to the site). Unless we interline the Metra/South Shore Line trains in the Loop this project simply won’t be feasible to reach unless you commit to driving there, which sounds like hell to me.
$300 million for infrastructure already sitting in escrow waiting on the Bears decision. Short distance to pull the South Shore line to the proposed stadium site, which runs adjacent to I80. Hammond can absolutely do this, the city is just waiting on the Bears decision. Clearly they prefer Arlington the only question is can the Illinois politicians provide infrastructure help and tax certainty.
Sure are a lot of bad comments on the location. Mostly from Illinois residents that won’t pay for the infrastructure like most other states do. Illinois is in a terrible financial state thanks to a crooked political nightmare for decades.
Illinois doesnt have to capitulate to every whim and desire of whatever rich owner ask them to do lmao. But Indiana sure will! So let them move.
Illinois saying no to a subsidy for this puts Illinois in a better financial position. I don’t understand why the Chicago Fire and the Chicago White Sox can propose in the Fire’s case build a new stadium without any major tax subsidies, but the Bears cannot!?
Highly doubtful that the Bears have “moved on” from the Arlington Heights site as they still own it and I don’t see any For Sale signs on the property.
If McCaskey wants to move, go already!
There are people in Illinois,that need government assistance to survive, and you want that money?
Sell your million dollar homes, and apply that money, to a new stadium.
Phenomenal writing! Thank you for adding this.
“This also comes while the Chicago Fire prep to erect a second crane at their privately funded stadium at The 78, the White Sox reveal images of their new privately funded riverside stadium, and the Bulls and Blackhawks continue construction on their new privately funded arena district around the United Center, though most of these will receive public funds for infrastructure.”
Why do NFL owners seem like the most entitled major sports league owners of them all?
When you larp about invisible “culture wars”, you have to see the whole bit through. And as king of it comes the great responsibility of a**holery.
I think Hammond is the right place for them to go, if the only other alternative is Arlington Heights, a featureless suburb that could be anywhere – Charlotte, Dallas, Atlanta or other places that were small cities that balooned in size due to endless subdivisions. Hammond feels more like Chicago. I really don’t care that much – if they leave the city limits, I’m through thinking about them.
Soldier Field was great – no way to sell naming rights as the name is untouchable – we can’t have the Viagra Soldier’s field, Fabreeze First Responder Honor Arene, etc.
Don’t let the screen door hit ya, X_______ Bears.
OMG lots of people have their panties in a knot and I’m sure most don’t regularly go to games at Soldier Field. I live very close to that area and love it. Currently a great network of bike paths, kayaking and windsurfing on the lake, free concerts all summer long at the Pavilion, Lost Marsh which has hosted an LPGA tournament, close to Whihlala beach on Lake Michigan, two casinos very nearby. A community full of people who have planted flowers in the park and other areas and started Pierogi fest. People who care and make things better and don’t just sit around and complain. I believe the Bears would rather be in Arlington but the reality is they need some government cooperation to get this done they would get this in Hammond. The community would value and support them, but it’s in Illinois’ hands if they drop the ball again. The Bears will find that Hammond and Indiana will treat them right now and in the future. Roads would be improved the South Shore line will be extended to the stadium. But realistically Arlington is the preferred site, if they end up in Hammond stop chirping and start voting more intelligently.
Couple things. The nearest train stop is like 2 miles away. That is a much longer walk than 25 minutes. On top of that people would have to take trains into downtown Chicago then walk to Millenium station. The commute we are talking about here is hours, plural.
Next. It is even more hilarious to see some Indiana commenters say they will get benefits by having the bears there LOL.
Not only does every study on this say otherwise, it would be worse for Indiana because anyone from out of town will Fly into Ohare(chicago benefits), would stop in downtown chicago which is in netween Ohare and Hammond and eat and stay in hotels there(chicago wins). Indiana gets NOTHING.
And lastly, the idea that a pro sports team is stupid enough to build a stadium around smoke stacks and the largest BP refinery in the world. Get real.
Bears ain’t moving nowhere, they’re stuck at Soldier Field through 2030s. How is that they can’t figure out a way to move to the South Loop like the White Sox and Fire? Even Northwestern is opening up a new stadium without moving. Bears are embarrassing time to get new ownership.
IMHO, the best site is the Gary site just east of Burr St. And 80/94. No toxic metals, no high water table, no fumes from the refinery and the dozen or so oil tanks. Plus the Hard Rock Casino is building a convention Center with at least 3 hotels and restaurants. Cline Ave. is just west of Burr, and both Cline and 80/94 are expandable. Just my thoughts.
Does Hammond still smell bad in the hot weather?
Football should be played outdoor and on grass.
Trash, trash, and more trash surrounding this whole conundrum
Illinois should add South Shore train, toll road and Skyway surcharge on Bears game days. That will pay off current Soldier Field debt. Are they going to get rid of the refinery smell on the Indiana side?
This is all a stupid pipe dream for Indiana – the Bears home office is in Lake Forest – 66 miles north. All the players and home office and anyone related is living on the north or northwest side of the city – you think we are going to get multi-million dollar footballers and their bosses moving to the south side of the city or even NW Indiana? Come on. The money is north, it’s staying north, this is all stupid.