We are just three days away from baseball at Wrigley Field.
And despite the fact that he’s fighting off a cold, BCB’s David Sameshima headed over to Wrigley Field Thursday to take photos and file this report:
I have come down with the nasty cold bug that appears to be making the rounds. I went home from work early today. My commute home took me past Wrigley, so I couldn't resist. I wasn’t in any condition to do a complete walk around. I only looked at a few portions of the ballpark.
Among the things in this photoset: magnetometers being reinstalled outside of the gates, a view of the Hotel Zachary continuing its climb, the restored western facade of the ballpark, the plaza (“Park at Wrigley”) nearly ready to open, the statues of Ernie and Ron are back in place, some traffic restrictions on Clark Street due to the private Addison Park project, and Wrigley-style decorations on CTA bus shelters at Addison & Southport.
I know that some of you had hoped that the facade of the main entrance would be free of the magnetometers (that those would be moved inside); unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case. It might be that this is the only way that can be done.
I also wanted to pass along this information from Ald. Tom Tunney’s office about parking and traffic restrictions for Opening Night:
Special event or "surge" meter pricing will take effect at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 10th. Under this pilot program, parking meter rates will double around Wrigley Field during baseball games and concert days. Impacted meters will include those on arterial streets and wraparound streets between Belmont and Irving Park and Southport and Broadway. Surge pricing will begin at the hour nearest to two hours prior to the Cubs game, Wrigley concert or other special events in the stadium, and end no later than seven hours after the start of surge pricing.
Parking will also be prohibited from noon to midnight Monday on the following streets, and towing will begin promptly at noon:
Addison- (both sides) Racine to Fremont
Clark - (both sides) Newport to Irving Park
Patterson - (both sides) Clark to Racine
Eddy - (both sides) Clark to the 1st alley west
Cornelia - (both sides) Clark to the 1st alley west
We hope to have more photos here before Opening Night.
Whether you’re a baseball junkie or casual fan, games are better at the ballpark. Grab seats from our partner StubHub and be part of the action at Wrigley Field. And, download the StubHub app to choose the perfect seats with 360° views from your section.