Cubs Launch Website to Rally Support, Neighbors Realize Realities

The Chicago Cubs are hoping to tap into neighbors who have yet to show their support for the proposed $500 million renovation project at Wrigley Field with a new website launched on Tuesday.

Simply found at www.wrigleyfield.com, the site outlines key features of the Wrigleyville renovation, including how many jobs could be created and what fans can expect to gain from the project. 

The site even has a petition where fans can sign on to say, “Yes, I support the restoration of Wrigley Field because it’s a win for the Chicago economy, the Lakeview community, Cubs fans and the team.”

Neighborhood leaders and some members with the Lake View Citizens’ Council have been quick to criticize certain aspects of the Cubs’ plans, citing negative implications it would have on things like traffic and parking. But using this new website, the Cubs say they hope they can show residents first-hand what they’d be gaining.

“If you keep asking if people have any issues with the plan, you'll always find people willing to point out particular things that they are unhappy with,” Lake View resident Jackie Earley said in Patch’s comments. “Change is hard, but the pros of this plan far outweigh the cons.

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“I am a homeowner who lives 6 blocks from Wrigley and the mother of small kids,” Earley continued. “I spent last weekend on a rooftop and had a blast with my family watching the Cubs play. I strongly support the renovation of Wrigley so I can have a place to bring my boys that represents why we work so hard to raise them in the city. No matter what anyone says, you’ll never be able to replicate the 'Wrigley Experience' anywhere else.”

The new website to hopefully find more supporters like Earley comes after the Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced a new ordinance to City Council that would allow the Cubs to play a maximum of 46 night games, as well as six Friday games starting at 3:05 p.m.

Both were key sticking points with neighborhood leaders, but now LVCC President Will DeMille says they might have to move forward from those issues.

"While people may not like the number of night games and concerts that are proposed in the ordinance, I think some folks are becoming resigned to the fact that it's part of the framework," DeMille told Crain’s Chicago. "So if this is going to happen, we just need more emphasis on other issues now. … I think we're getting the sense that that's cemented to the framework. We may have to make lemonade out of a lemon on this one."

Crain’s reports that DeMille and the other Lake View neighbhorhood groups will put more emphasis on security, efficient parking and the proposed street festivals on Sheffield Avenue.