Conceptual renderings have been revealed for a potential Bears stadium within Armour Square. Though not affiliated with the $9.7 billion team, the renderings come as the team nears a deal to stay in Illinois. Simultaneously, the Federal Railroad Administration has agreed to an environmental assessment for the potential new Amtrak yards that would help make way for the White Sox to vacate their current stadium.
Conceptual rendering of stadium by SOM
Stadium Renderings
The new images were published by the local office of the global architecture firm SOM, showing a new domed structure replacing the existing Guaranteed Rate Field, surrounding parking lots, and all structures south of 35th Street to Pershing Road. This would include The Progressive Baptist Church, Air Force Academy, and the Wentworth Gardens Housing Complex.
Conceptual rendering of stadium by SOM
The stadium would sit between 37th Street and Pershing Road, surrounded by plaza space and a new pedestrian bridge over the Dan Ryan to the east. All of the existing roadway bridges would also receive widening for pedestrian plazas. To the north of the stadium would be a new mixed-use complex leading to the neighborhood’s namesake park and select parking lots for tailgating.
Conceptual rendering of stadium by SOM
Across the highway, the renderings show a mix of mid- and high-rises around a small practice pitch, just south of the Illinois Institute of Technology. This is where some of the potentially demolished housing units would be relocated. The plans are conceptual and are not attached to any developers or entities, with the Bears likely pursuing Arlington Heights in Illinois.
Environmental Study/Amtrak Yard
Bears stadium aside, the White Sox are currently planning to move to a new riverside stadium across from the upcoming McDonald’s Park. Known as the Railyards, the team’s owner has been buying up land in the area in order to create their own mixed-use complex, with their lease for the current stadium set to end in 2029.
Rendering of The Railyards by Aecom
In order to do this, the existing Amtrak rail yard and maintenance facility around Roosevelt Road would need to be relocated to an abandoned 60-acre freight yard in Bridgeport. The elevated yard sits just west of the existing stadium. Amtrak has been working on securing this site in order to sell the current facility since 2023, having received a federal grant to do so.
If completed, the new $915 million complex would include a 120,000-square-foot maintenance shed, operate 24 hours a day, and include services like toilet cleaning. Work would also include reinforcing 17 viaducts from Cermak Road to roughly 57th Street. The nature of the yard has led to robust community opposition due to the increased noise and air pollution it could bring.
Existing Amtrak yard (left) – proposed yard (right) via Google Maps
Because of this, the Federal Railroad Administration will be conducting a full environmental review, which has been requested by locals. This will begin with the release of its assessment to the public, followed by a 30-day community comment period with two public meetings. The administration is expected to complete the review and issue its permits by the end of the year.
Bears Deal In Illinois
According to Crain’s, talks are advancing and going well between the state and the team in order to stay within the Chicago area, most likely in Arlington Heights. This comes after years of stalled proposals and, most recently, advanced talks to relocate to Hammond, Indiana. It would appear that their bluff to relocate has worked, and legislators could vote as soon as next month.
Conceptual rendering of stadium by SOM
The revived efforts come as the team has brought minority owners into the conversation, along with the NFL. If approved, the massive stadium would be publicly owned and pay no property taxes. The state would also pay for select roads and infrastructure, but could also collect additional sales tax from the project.
The city also hopes to work with the team to look at options in the city and work on a deal for the outstanding debt from Soldier Field’s reconstruction. At the moment, no further information is known.
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Glad (and sad) that the Governor has to spearhead this. In the past it would be the Mayor fighting to keep the team in Chicago, but being that the city has a defunct hack job mayor, Pritzker to the rescue (for most things, really).
I think this would be the ideal scenario, and I love this design, although it’s unrealistic that we will ever see so much development in that area. Now, I jus hope the NIMBYs fail in their bid to stop Amtrak from building their yard in Bridgeport. That is needed to get everything in motion.
” the massive stadium would be publicly owned and pay no property taxes.” I believe this means that taxpayers will pay to maintain the property but not receive any income from it. I was born and raised in Chicago and am a Bears fan but let them move to Hammond. Don’t create more tax burdens for Chicago, not worth it.
If the stadium is publicly owned then I expect the state to lease it to the Bears at a fair market rate
Indeed! And maybe with a slight premium as well since they’re a multi-billion dollar *private* organization.
I’ve lived in Chicago way too long to have such an expectation.
Either they get their tax break to build Arlington Heights or they go to Indiana. Illinois politicians need to vote on this as they have said no to in the past. Until it is signed I will not be holding my breath.
No government handouts to billionaire sports teams until after the midterm elections.
The Bears gonna just sit back and let their fans get ripped off?
Of course.
The Bears still suck and always will 😊
If they’re gonna replace public housing and 2 community institutions they should be paying for the replacements – WITH extra housing units. Otherwise this should remain what it is, a fantasy