The car wash is gone! Can the expansion be far behind?

by lapetino on Aug 26, 2007 12:56 PM CDT Comment 10 comments

While the Cubs are off in Arizona, other things are afoot around Wrigley. I stopped by the park Saturday morning to pick up new tickets for the rain-rescheduled Cards game, only to see a surprising sight: Bulldozers trashing the nearby car wash/bike check. What could this mean for the long-proposed Wrigley expansion?

As part of the Wrigley expansion project the Cubs were planning on adding a new building on the triangle-shaped parcel of land just to the west of the park, where the old car wash stood.

According to the Cubs, the expansion which would include "a five-story multipurpose building, to be located just west of Wrigley Field, with 400 parking spaces, a restaurant, a museum, and retail shops above ground, as well as underground workout facilities for Cubs players." But the construction stalled. With the demolition of the car wash, does it mean these plans are now moving forward? Does anyone have insider information?

I would be absolutely thrilled to see the Cubs upgrade the area right around the park to make the Wrigley experience even better, while improving the overall player facilities too. What do you all think about the expansion, and it moving forward? How many rooms in the new building will we need to display this year's World Series trophy? :)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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How many rooms will be needed

To display the World Series trophy?

501. 1 to house the trophy, 500 to house the body guards to keep Jessica from stealing it and taking it back home with her!

;)

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2007 1:09 PM CDT reply actions

I noticed that

I drove by Wrigley on Friday and noticed something was missing! It took a minute for it to sink in.

Has Sheffield (at Waveland) been cleaned up from the storm damage? There were so many huge tree limbs down.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Aug 26, 2007 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

This is due to the storm

The roof ripped off the structure and slammed into the condo across Waveland. They decided to just tear the structure down instead of repairing it.

http://www.chicagocubshistory.com/blog/?page_id=434

by mkamper on Aug 26, 2007 3:31 PM CDT reply actions

Ridiculous construction hasn't started

I believe as part of the reason for expanding the bleachers they promised to do this project a long time ago. Then they didn't, what BS.

That and the fact that they aren't sure whether or not to install drainage upsets me.

The ownership is inept. At least the Bears and Bulls can get things right around here....

by astroview on Aug 26, 2007 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Sort of...

Yeah, the Bears built that ugly addition to Soldier's Field and in the process lost their landmark status because it was so hideous. So, not sure I want to emulate that.

But I think the Cubs actually made a deal with the city that in return for being able to expand the bleachers, they had to provide more parking spots than are currently available. The alderman has mentioned a couple times that creating more spots (that the new building would do) isn't optional for the team. We'll see when the squeeze gets put on the team to live up to their contractual obligations...

by lapetino on Aug 26, 2007 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Bike Check

Anyone know what this does to the bike check? I'm a regular user- to have this go away would be bad newz...

by section101 on Aug 26, 2007 8:21 PM CDT reply actions

I don't, but...

... I imagine if you call the Cubs office tomorrow morning, someone there will tell you.

FWIW in response to the poster above, the Cubs agreed to provide one new parking space for every ten seats added in the bleacher expansion. That comes to (approximately) 180 parking spaces, which were to be included in the new building.

The city ordinance allowing more night games includes this agreement. The Cubs are obliged to do it. I'm not sure how they can get out of it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Aug 26, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

This building

is such a "win win," it's rediculious.

It's a win for the neighborhood, which gets increased parking about 340 NIGHTS a year, and about 310 DAYS a year (depending on the given night or day games).

It's a win for the ballclub, which get's to build at least a piece that can compare to the new arks that are being built around MLB. I think the best analagy is Green Bay's Atrium at Lambeau Field. The Packers wanted a piece of the action from all the tailgating that was going on, so they built the Atrium, with a restaurant, museum, and other amenaties. The Cubs want a piece of Wrigleyville, which generates a ton of money, but not for the ballclub. This "Triangle Building" gets the Cubs a piece of that pie.

And, it's a win for the fans, who have to give up Wrigleyville once they punch their ticket to get into the ballpark. The area between the building and the park intself would be closed off and only available to ticket-holders (think Yawkee Way at Fenway, or Eutaw Street at Camden Yards, etc.).

I would think that, even if it isn't required for the next owner to build this building, it would make sense to do so anyway...

Moose

Hubbs!

by moose97 on Aug 26, 2007 9:52 PM CDT reply actions