ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS)– Thursday brought another step forward in the possibility that the Bears could leave Soldier Field and move to the suburbs.
The team hosted a meeting with the community in Arlington Heights Thursday night to talk about its ideas for redeveloping Arlington International Racecourse. The meeting was held in the gymnasium at John Hersey High School.
While fans got the chance to come face-to-face with the Bears front office, they weren’t allowed to address them directly at the meeting Thursday night. Instead, everyone was allowed to submit questions on cards.
The focus of the evening was more on the bigger picture of how the stadium project could transform Arlington heights.
The Bears laid out plans for their estimated $5 billion project just days after unveiling renderings of what their new Arlington Park home could look like.
“The Bears will seek no public funding for direct stadium structure,” said Bears Chairman George McCaskey.
But McCaskey said the team will need financial help to build out the entire site — which would include parks, fitness centers, hotels, housing, and a sports book for starters.
“We think development of the site – including a stadium – is a win for Bears fans, the Village of Arlington Heights, the surrounding communities, and the State of Illinois,” McCaskey said.
The Bears front office said they actually weren’t looking to leave Soldier Field. But with the closure of Arlington International Racecourse, leaders with Churchill Downs reached out to gauge the team’s interest.
“If we move forward, we have to get it right,” said Bears President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Phillips.
Phillips said the Bears are expected to close on the property in 2022 or 2023, but he stressed that even if the Bears close on the property, that does not mean they will develop it.
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