2006-07 Offseason Wrigley Field Construction

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 4:28 PM CST in News Comment 34 comments

David, intrepid BCB photographer, decided to stop by the ballpark this morning.

Construction fencing has been put up around the corner at Addison & Sheffield. David thinks this might be the beginning of installation of the brick pavers that you can buy on the Cubs website. However, I remember hearing that the Cubs were considering redoing the facing of the ballpark this winter to remove the ugly 1950's era concrete panels that you see in the first two photos here -- so perhaps that's what is going on also.

In addition, there's work being done on the Waveland side, to the west of the new bleachers.

View of construction fencing at Addison & Sheffield; view inside the construction fencing; view of the field through the "knothole" on Sheffield; work being done on the north wall of the park, west of the bleacher wall on Waveland.

Photos by David Sameshima

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hmm

funny seeing Wrigley covered in snow

by Chanman25 on Dec 3, 2006 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What ever happened to

the project that had been planned for the corner of Clark and Waveland where the player parking lot and the bike check are. I remember seeing artist's renderings of the project when they unveiled the bleacher plan last year, but haven't heard anything since. I'm assuming it's on hold as there is no construction on that corner yet.

by NDCub on Dec 3, 2006 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sometime...

... toward the end of the season the Cubs announced that the project had gone "over budget" and was indeed on hold.

This would put the Cubs in violation of the agreement that allowed them to build the new bleachers -- they were supposed to construct one new parking space for every 10 new seats. Thus, for the 1800 or so new bleacher seats, they were supposed to have about 180 new parking spaces, which were to have been in that new garage that was to be part of that project.

I haven't heard anything about this in a couple of months. We await developments.

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Random...

...I've been a "regular" for about a year or so now, but have never made the following inquiry:

What do most BCBers do if they would like to sit together for a game? Methinks Al is always in the bleachers (I've been to about half a dozen games at Wrigley in my life, since I live so far away from Illinois), and have never sat in the bleachers before. Since it is the offseason, I am wondering, if there a way we can make a continuous thread having BCBers discuss their various hints, tips, and tricks to (1) sitting together, (2) the ins and outs of Wrigley (commuting, food, vendors, etc), and (3) neat facts or fun things to do/go around the ballpark?? Ultimately, I would like to print this out and save it for when I do trek down to Wrigley this upcoming year. What do you think Al and others? Thanks.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 3, 2006 5:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think this is a great idea.

If all of you would like to do this, once it is (reasonably) complete, I will collate it into a post that I'll put on one of the sidebars titled something like "BCB Readers' Guide To Wrigley Field".

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 5:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Shall...

...I create a diary for this, Al?? I wouldn't mind helping collection and/or organize the ideas, I am more than willing to contribute to BCB after all it has given me. Thanks so much.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 3, 2006 5:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Thanks for the offer, which I gratefully accept. Go ahead and do that, and once you get it all organized, let me know, and I'll get it put in a form that will be permanently on one of the sidebars.

At that point I'll throw in some of my own observations, too.

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Have we ever thought

about trying to get a block of tickets together for a game? Like 25-50 bleacher seats---I'm sure we could get at least that many people together.

In law school, DePaul always had outings to Wrigley where they would buy up 100 or so tickets and all the students would sit together.

Is there a way we could do this for BCB?

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Dec 3, 2006 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I talked to Al about this...

a couple weeks ago, and he said we could try. I'm not sure how we could do it, but we should do it!

I think it would be a blast to have all of us in the bleachers watching a Cubs game.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Dec 3, 2006 9:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I will do this sometime this week...

...but would like to know what categories you feel should be included. Thanks and I'm excited. :)

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 3, 2006 6:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's what I was thinking...

(1) Commute to/from Wrigley & parking
(2) Best places to get tickets
(3) Best places to sit
(4) Tips/tricks on what to bring/not to
(5) Autographs and player sightings
(6) Things to do/see around Wrigley

What can you think of to add?

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 3, 2006 6:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

how bout

good eats? for example, i believe the bleachers is still the only place in the park you can get grilled onions on your hot dog. at least that's the way it was a year or two ago. and i feel a hot dog without grilled onions is just lips and a-holes.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Dec 3, 2006 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Grilled onions...

That is why you need a "Primer".

This is Bleacher Myth.

Grilled onions on Hebrew National hot dogs are to be found on ground level, both Waveland and Sheffield sides.

Also, Upper Deck Patio, which is a great place that offers value bottled brews - including premium, and has a Scala's concessions selling Beef, Sausage, Combo's, and there are dogs available.

I have sat all over Wrigley in 40+ years, and while I like the bleachers, Upper Deck boxes between the bags (or behind home plate) are nice for field perspective. I've also been given first row right behind Home plate in the 1st set of seats by WGN from a favor I did, and saw Kerry Wood pitch while he was in one of his healthy periods.

Pretty sweet, too!

Murphy's is overated for the food. I like Bernies better, personally, and its still a "touch" more local feeling...

Beat Iowa in all sports. Go Northwestern!

by TheEman on Dec 3, 2006 11:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Spring Training

Something similar for spring training. Every year people post spring training questions, and I bet we can put together an impressive "Fans guide to the Cactus League".

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2006 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We can...

... definitely do this. I've written some of those little profiles of the Phoenix-area ballparks both here and on my old blog.

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 11:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

photos

Thanks for the photos. If they are indeed taking off that ugly panelling, it's great news indeed. I've been wondering for 20 years when they would get around to doing that.

by danimal15 on Dec 3, 2006 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley needs work

The outside facade is in desperate need of updating. So too is the interior infrastructure of the ballpark, to include the restrooms, concession areas, etc.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Dec 3, 2006 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If you look back at photos...

... from the 20's, 30's and 40's, specifically after the second deck was added(1927), the wrought iron fence art looks amazing. I am looking forward to when they do get rid of the concrete panals, and the chicken wire.

As for the interior stuff such as bathrooms, and concessions, I wouldn't hold your breath on that.

by stadiumguru on Dec 3, 2006 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interior

If this team is going to remain at Wrigley beyond the next decade, they are going to seriously have to consider a total gutting of the ballpark.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2006 8:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah...

What's a little falling concrete?

formerly mfarrell

by gravedigger on Dec 4, 2006 1:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can get grilled onions

under the stands on the first base side and I assume there's a place on the third baseside as well.

I really hope the concrete panels are coming off. They are really an eyesore and make the ballpark look anything but beautiful from the outside. When I bring people to Wrigley for the first time I can always see their look of surprise and/or disappointment as we walk from the Addison L stop and behold the panels.

by TR on Dec 3, 2006 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Remember, if they change

the 'restrooms' they would have to place -- individual stations -- in place of the -- well, you know. New construction laws do not allow replacement of the -- well, you know. Individual 'stations' would make a rest room stop even longer than it is now. I say keep those old babies working. If you ever attended a game at old Comiskey, that's why those --uh, stations -- from WW 1 were still in place. Old, awful looking, certainly smelled awful -- but still working. If they ever had to gut those washrooms....contemporary construction rules would have to apply. (That why, if I recall -- to my only visit to the bleachers this year, individual stalls now grace the rest rooms there)

Enough with the toilet talk, this is beginning to creep me out...

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Dec 3, 2006 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You mean trough urinals?

They are mighty convenient, though I catch all kinds of hell about them from some of my Sox fan friends who joke about...well you get the idea.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Dec 3, 2006 10:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Auction 'em

I bet they could recoup a lot of the bathroom reconstruction costs by auctioning them to the highest bidder. There are a lot of odd people in this world.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2006 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The old men's room...

... in the bleachers was refurbished, but still has the troughs; they were "grandfathered". The new restroom down the RF line has individual facilities.

by Al on Dec 3, 2006 11:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess...

I really should've gone to build some snow players in Wrigley.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Dec 3, 2006 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Non-Wrigley Food

If you're looking for eats outside of the park, Goose Island has to be up there. Burgers are superb, and the beers are tasty. I'm also a big fan of El Palmar (if you're in the mood for Mexican) on Irving Park and Sheffield, just north of the park.

The Hebrew National stand mentioned above is the ONLY place to get your dogs. They've got all the additional fixings - grilled onions, tomatoes, peppers, etc... Most of the other concession stands on the main concourse only have chopped onions, relish, and ugh ketchup.

MURTON!!! - just trying to help his karma so we keep him.

by 26.2cubfan on Dec 4, 2006 12:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Best Mexican in the area

Is the El Jardin Cafe at Clark and Roscoe. Not the restaurant further south but the cafe. The cafe was opened 20 years ago by Gus, one of the sons from the family that ran the restaurant. He thought the quality of the food was dropping (boy, was he right) at the restaurant. Really great steak tacos.

by TR on Dec 4, 2006 7:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

One visit

I went in there once, and my friends decided they couldn't stay and eat there because of the bad smell (not food). It was a few years ago, and that may have been a one time incident.

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Dec 4, 2006 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

n/t

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Dec 4, 2006 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

For a good...

... sit-down restaurant, Tuscany at the corner of Waveland & Clark has excellent Italian food.

by Al on Dec 4, 2006 8:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ethiopian

There used to be a great Ethiopian restaurant (Addis Ababa) on Clark, just south of the ballpark, but it was closed to make room for another generic bar and grill. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Dec 4, 2006 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Backstop netting post

One thing I wish they would have removed during the bleacher expansion is that ugly steel beam in left field that the backstop netting is anchored to. They anchor the other side of the netting to the upper deck. Why couldn't they do it for this side too and get rid of that eye-sore?

by shockidelica on Dec 4, 2006 12:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree!

There was no reason to put that beam there, as you note.

I will tell you, though, that the beam is not actually in the bleachers -- it is in the main part of the ballpark. Thus, it was not part of the old bleachers demolition.

But you're right. They could easily put the wire holding up the net on the corner of the LF upper deck.

by Al on Dec 4, 2006 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs