The Bears are close to finalizing a deal with the State of Indiana and the city of Hammond, Ind., on a stadium proposal that would move the iconic franchise out of Chicago and Soldier Field after 104 years in the National Football League.
The Bears issued a statement after Indiana passed Senate Bill 27, which provides a "framework for finalizing a deal," according to Indiana governor Mike Braun. “The passage of SB27 [Senate Bill 27] would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date," the Bears statement read. "We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
Governor Braun added, “Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal ... contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.”
The Bears will not be moving forward in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, where they've met resistance from the municipality to building a stadium, after the club purchased a massive plot of land. A Bears proposal to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago to remain at Soldier Field would require over $1 billion in renovation.
My take: All good things? Hard to say it's a bargaining tactic when Indiana is aggressively working a final deal. Chicago and Illinois have dragged their feet on this for two years. Come up with the funding or fill the tank up with gas. Hammond is considered the Chicagoland area, but it's a 45-minute drive by car from Chicago city center. There is no CTA service to Hammond. There is an Amtrak train that costs about $10 one-way and takes about 25-40 minutes, but service to and from would have to be added on game days to facilitate the volume of people. There is currently one train per day that stops in Hammond.
THE ASYLUM
Bears move to Indiana closer
The Bears are close to finalizing a deal with the State of Indiana and the city of Hammond, Ind., on a stadium proposal that would move the iconic franchise out of Chicago and Soldier Field after 104 years in the National Football League.
The Bears issued a statement after Indiana passed Senate Bill 27, which provides a "framework for finalizing a deal," according to Indiana governor Mike Braun. “The passage of SB27 [Senate Bill 27] would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date," the Bears statement read. "We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
Governor Braun added, “Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal ... contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.”
The Bears will not be moving forward in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, where they've met resistance from the municipality to building a stadium, after the club purchased a massive plot of land. A Bears proposal to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago to remain at Soldier Field would require over $1 billion in renovation.
My take: All good things? Hard to say it's a bargaining tactic when Indiana is aggressively working a final deal. Chicago and Illinois have dragged their feet on this for two years. Come up with the funding or fill the tank up with gas. Hammond is considered the Chicagoland area, but it's a 45-minute drive by car from Chicago city center. There is no CTA service to Hammond. There is an Amtrak train that costs about $10 one-way and takes about 25-40 minutes, but service to and from would have to be added on game days to facilitate the volume of people. There is currently one train per day that stops in Hammond.
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