Wrigley Field Offseason Rehab Work Update

by Al Yellon on Mar 15, 2010 8:00 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs News

They're still working on both sides of the ballpark. This photo shows work being done under the marquee -- for now, nothing has changed on the marquee.

After the jump, you'll see what's replaced the concrete panels on the Addison St. side -- for now, chain-link fencing. And they have not yet begun the repainting of the scoreboard. (Remember, I'm on the road today -- unavailable to answer questions here till tonight.)

All photos by David Sameshima

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Visually...

I like the idea of removing some/all of those ugly concrete panels. I’m sure it makes the interior feel brighter too. But I’m guessing one reason for the panels is to keep the wind from whipping through the stands. Seeing that it can be pretty cold for a good 3 months of the baseball season, I wonder if we’ll need to bring an extra blanket?

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by digitalbenjamin on Mar 15, 2010 8:23 AM CDT reply actions

The wind can swirl, but

Those panels were on the south side of the stadium. Winds from the south generally imply warmer weather.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 15, 2010 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sure about the lower level...

but in the upper level I’ve been at games where a wicked cold wind comes from the south (esp. if you’re in one of the last few rows of seats).

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by digitalbenjamin on Mar 15, 2010 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I suppose in April it's all cold.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 15, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Unless Kevin Millar makes the team...

His sunny disposition will warm the ballpark.

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by digitalbenjamin on Mar 15, 2010 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Woo! It's getting drafty in here!

I have felt that upper deck wind curl up my back and it made me – made me – reach for a Old Style again.

I’m just happy the whole place didn’t fold when they took off the concrete slabs.

"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver

by RiskyBusiness on Mar 15, 2010 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions

FWIW...

… the given reason at the time for constructing the panels was to reduce noise.

Not noise from the ballpark reaching the street, but bus and traffic noise coming IN.

The panels were built in 1958, when the average attendance was about 12,000 a game and only eight dates drew over 30,000. It was probably pretty quiet in there most days.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Mar 16, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Interesting... thanks Al

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by digitalbenjamin on Mar 16, 2010 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

The fence doesn't look perfect

but it looks much better than the concrete slabs

This is the year...

by Chanman25 on Mar 15, 2010 8:27 AM CDT reply actions

I think wrought iron would look nice.

Painted eggshell or white. Of course, this would be expensive as hell compared to concrete.

Yankees suck.

by Steaming Pile on Mar 16, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I was wondering the same...

as digibenj. I sit in Upper Deck boxes for the most part on the 1B side, but I have to believe that on cold days where wind does blow out to left, it will be much colder. I have sit up there on a cold or rainy day when wind does blow out as well as vice versa. Also, it will be interesting to see if the removal of the panels will effect fly balls. Any opinions here?

Finally, I’d like to thank Al for sharing the awesome Kenney/Ricketts interview!

Many thanks, in fact!

by The E-Man on Mar 15, 2010 8:31 AM CDT reply actions

I meant

wind blows out to RIGHT.

by The E-Man on Mar 15, 2010 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Umm... hooray?

I’m happy to see the concrete gone, but I wish they’d chosen literally anything else in the world as their inspiration OTHER than the Clark Street “Tru-Link” side of Wrigley.

The concrete looked horrible, but the chain link makes the place look like a jail.

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by D98 on Mar 15, 2010 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

Fence isn't too pretty either.

I think they should have brick going up from the base of each level to that level’s lower i Beam, or maybe a bit higher. I don’t know if extra protection from falling would need to be put in, but the brick would look quite nice.

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by WittyUserName on Mar 15, 2010 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Maybe some brick and wrought iron

by iowacityCUB on Mar 15, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

My 2 cents

I would like to see the street level have brick like it is around the bleacher exterior. The mid level should be enclosed with the stucko and windows like they have in the front. The top level should be open with wroght iron.

by mdseverin on Mar 16, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I know its more expensive

but wouldn’t Plexiglas have been a better solution?

by Bradsbeard on Mar 15, 2010 10:50 AM CDT reply actions

plexiglass

would get scratched up pretty good. I think this may be a more long-term temporary fix.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 15, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Could the chain link fencing be temporary?

I mean, I hope that isn’t the “final” solution for longterm Wrigley Field. I could see it as something that’s left up for a season or two before they put up some nice green wrought iron or something. They don’t want to (and can’t) close the stadium for these updates to happen and probably didn’t have the time to remove all the concrete and replace it with what they eventually want on there in one off season – especially one as snowy as this one was. Just my thoughts!

by btk097 on Mar 15, 2010 11:06 AM CDT reply actions

Master Plan: Phase 1A

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 15, 2010 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

Wow, that's... horrid

Hopefully (and surely) there is more to be done.

by Ryan D on Mar 15, 2010 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

I agree with btk097

I think the chain link will only be a few years before a more permanent design is in place.

by mdseverin on Mar 15, 2010 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

Is it known...

how much money they are spending on these offseason upgrades?

by kanderber on Mar 15, 2010 12:16 PM CDT reply actions

I'm looking,

But I can’t seem to find anything. Even the MLB.com articles don’t have the price. If the price tag is indeed out there, it’s very well hidden.

I’m going to keep looking, and when I find something, I’ll let you know.

Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 15, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions