Chicago officials are trying to persuade the Bears to remain at Soldier Field. On Sunday, a video was released by the Reimagine Soldier Field Coalition, led by Landmark Development.
The video presents a range of amenities intended to keep the Bears in Chicago, including a transit hub, concert space, and a new glass dome that would cover the stadium and potentially draw interest from the NFL, NCAA, and concert promoters.
The dome would allow the stadium to host events like Super Bowls and Final Fours, which are currently not possible due to the outdoor nature of the stadium. In addition to the dome, the plans include new clubs, skyboxes, and lounges to increase seating capacity. The developers have also proposed a new area called One Central Station that would provide access to the stadium via CTA, Amtrak, and Metra rail lines, as well as a “Chi-Line” people-mover.
There would also be a performance space on the north lawn of the stadium. These plans come as the Bears are negotiating with Arlington Heights to build a domed stadium at the former Arlington International Racecourse, with the team potentially asking for public funding for infrastructure around the 326-acre site. The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field is set to expire in 2032.
