CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[dreamy-developer]

Originally Posted by sentinel

Not an unreasonable concern, but I think very apples-to-oranges, primarily because of location, the 78 essentially being an extension of downtown. This area will be developed, just by virtue of location, location, location.

Personally, I'm more cynical of Related Midwest doing it alone within the next decade+. I don't know how dedicated and motivated they are with fulfilling their vision but I would imagine things could progress faster if they sold off a section of the lot (or sold sublots within the land) to other developers (like what you're seeing with SB/Lincoln Yards) to those who are more eager or interested in developing the area.

[MorganChi]

My job is across the river from the site , I seen the tent up , Chicago fire flag and the Chicago flag up, also seen a lot of cars looks like a ceremony

[lakeshoredrive]

Any news of the ground breaking ceremony today?

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by lakeshoredrive

Any news of the ground breaking ceremony today?

I heard it's happening mid-afternoon

[BVictor1]

03.03.26

[left of center]

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/loca...-like/3902636/

Chicago Fire break ground on new stadium.

The Chicago Fire are breaking ground on a new, $750 million stadium Tuesday in an undeveloped area known as 'The 78,' but what exactly will it look like when all is said and done?

The groundbreaking began Tuesday for the project that's expected to take at least two years to complete.

“This is a historic day for Chicago Fire FC and for the city we are proud to call home,” Joe Mansueto, owner and chairman of Chicago Fire FC, said in a statement. “This stadium is about investing in Chicago and creating a world-class home for our fans, players, and community. We are fully committed to delivering a venue that reflects the passion of the city and the ambition of this Club.”

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said the stadium plans are "reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago," calling the design "one of the most ambitious stadium projects in Major League Soccer history."

The stadium's open-air design was crafted in what the team called "Chicago School" fashion, serving as the anchor for The 78, a 62-acre development located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road.

...


The facade will consist of brick, steel and glass, while the bowl is designed "to prioritize the match viewing experience with seating positions that are dramatically lower and closer to the action."

Inside will feature a variety of so-called hospitality spaces, amenities and premium seating options, which include up to 50 suites, more than 500 Loge seats and 3,500 Club seats.

"An exposed steel canopy over the seating bowl will help enhance the intimacy of Fire matches by directing light and crowd noise back to the pitch, creating an environment that will enhance the Fire's home-field advantage," a release stated.

There will be a dedicated section built "for the most passionate fans," which is designed to hold up to 2,000 die-hard fans on bleachers.

...

According to Baldwin, the Fire's stadium will be the "most expensive stadium ever built in MLS history." It's expected to open in 2028.

One of my favorite quotes from the above article: "You need to be in the city of Chicago to deliver for our fans." Perhaps a not so subtle jab at the Bears

[lakeshoredrive]

Incredible! A new exciting chapter begins!

[twister244]

This is great! I think I'm really excited about this project because it's creating a new entertainment venue that will be really fun to enjoy in the future, and is going to help drag that river development south of the Loop further.

Looking forward to seeing to going to a game there after it finishes!

[lakeshoredrive]

I can definitely see a high rise with a hotel anchor being built by the stadium. It would be in a good location where a hotel is needed.

[Cress3803]

I'll watch and attend more because of this project, and I'm a cubs person not soccer

[MorganChi]

So I work at Amtrak across from the 78. I pretty much said this since this thing started motion. I got some news that haven’t been released to the public yet but someone bought our property. We’re being told we are being pushed to 35th. Word on the street is that Chicago fire has brought it for parking , another rumor I heard is a mixed development with the Sox, if I found out more info I will report it. But this is major news.

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

So I work at Amtrak across from the 78. I pretty much said this since this thing started motion. I got some news that haven’t been released to the public yet but someone bought our property. We’re being told we are being pushed to 35th. Word on the street is that Chicago fire has brought it for parking , another rumor I heard is a mixed development with the Sox, if I found out more info I will report it. But this is major news.

What property exactly?

[mh777]

Originally Posted by Klippenstein

What property exactly?

The Amtrak rail yard across the street from 78. Literally right across the river on the other side. Would be fantastic if they developed that area! Especially if the Sox built a stadium. Amtrak has always killed the pedestrian experience right there

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

So I work at Amtrak across from the 78. I pretty much said this since this thing started motion. I got some news that haven’t been released to the public yet but someone bought our property. We’re being told we are being pushed to 35th. Word on the street is that Chicago fire has brought it for parking , another rumor I heard is a mixed development with the Sox, if I found out more info I will report it. But this is major news.

So are you suggesting that the rail yard circled in the first image is being sold and will be replaced by the rail yard in the second image next to the White Socks stadium? It doesn't seem like the 35th street rail yard is nearly as large as Amtrak's current rail yard, but if they were to purchase parking lots around the stadium (or the stadium property itself if the White Socks are to be moving), then the rail yards would be able to significantly expand. Or alternatively, the rail yards and truck parking in Chinatown spanning from 23rd street to 29th street may be large enough to accommodate for Amtrak's operations

I would also be curious if the neighboring Metra rail yards were being purchased as they would otherwise be blocking access to the site.

I can't imagine that the property would be being purchased for more parking for the Chicago Fire stadium, considering the amount of parking that would be provided within the 78 property itself and also considering the inconvenient access of needing to cross the river to connect the sites. But it would be quite nice to get some developments on both sides of the river, and perhaps this could be the catalyst to get the strange "Southwest Loop" (as I like to refer to it) to the west of the site finally properly developed.

[donnie]

If this is true one or two pedestrian bridges would be ideal.

[MorganChi]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

So are you suggesting that the rail yard circled in the first image is being sold and will be replaced by the rail yard in the second image next to the White Socks stadium? It doesn't seem like the 35th street rail yard is nearly as large as Amtrak's current rail yard, but if they were to purchase parking lots around the stadium (or the stadium property itself if the White Socks are to be moving), then the rail yards would be able to significantly expand. Or alternatively, the rail yards and truck parking in Chinatown spanning from 23rd street to 29th street may be large enough to accommodate for Amtrak's operations

I would also be curious if the neighboring Metra rail yards were being purchased as they would otherwise be blocking access to the site.

I can't imagine that the property would be being purchased for more parking for the Chicago Fire stadium, considering the amount of parking that would be provided within the 78 property itself and also considering the inconvenient access of needing to cross the river to connect the sites. But it would be quite nice to get some developments on both sides of the river, and perhaps this could be the catalyst to get the strange "Southwest Loop" (as I like to refer to it) to the west of the site finally properly developed.

The Metra tracks as far as I know was not part of the purchased. Our new ceo is friend of trumps. Trump is trying to get rid of us we lost a lot of funding. The ppl that’s in charge of Amtrak wants to get rid of the long haul and keep our short distance trains like to Chicago to stl. This may explain the sell and the small area on 35th. Washington

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

The Metra tracks as far as I know was not part of the purchased. Our new ceo is friend of trumps. Trump is trying to get rid of us we lost a lot of funding. The ppl that’s in charge of Amtrak wants to get rid of the long haul and keep our short distance trains like to Chicago to stl. This may explain the sell and the small area on 35th. Washington

Oh, well, that could be very possibly true. I feel though that it seems unlikely that Amtrak would be able to properly operate out of the 35th street yard, and that could cause some serious long term problems for Amtrak. If I were them, I'd definitely be looking at the aforementioned Chinatown rail yards and truck parking, but of course, I'm not Amtrak, but there's no way that moving all Amtrak's facilities to a yard which is probably less than half the size will go well

[r18tdi]

Interesting tidbit from Crain's about Sox stadium at The 78:

Another outstanding question is whether the Fire venue will be the only stadium at the 78. The Chicago White Sox have said the team is interested in building a new ballpark on the southern portion of the property as they stare down a 2029 lease expiration at Rate Field in Bridgeport.

Dowell said there has been “no discussion” about a second stadium at the 78 from the Sox or the city’s planning department.

“The community has told me they can’t handle two stadiums here. I mean, just think about it. If you had this (Fire) stadium, a White Sox stadium, Soldier Field, Wintrust (Arena), Lollapalooza, Grant Park — it’s too much,” she said.

Still, Dowell left the door open in September when the Fire stadium won approval from the Chicago Plan Commission. She told the panel at the time that the rezoning amendment for the stadium includes language ensuring only one stadium can be constructed at the 78 “without coming back to (the Plan Commission) and the community.”

Mansueto, meanwhile, told Crain’s earlier this year he remains “open” to a discussion with the Major League Baseball team about sharing the 78.

“There are many, many issues that would have to be sorted through” for the teams to coexist at the property involving schedules, parking and current aldermanic opposition to a two-stadium project, Mansueto said in January. “But if you could work out satisfactorily all of those issues, there could be a really exciting vision.”

[left of center]

The White Sox were asleep at the wheel if they truly wanted to move to the 78. They thought they could wait it out in order to get city/state dollars, but they had the rug pulled out from under them by the Fire who had the money to start building right away.

I don't think the Sox will be moving from 35th anytime soon. The Reinsdorf organization already has their hands full with the UC development projects.

[BrinChi]

^ Nor should they. There is nothing wrong with Rate field itself. Attendance isn't struggling because of the stadium; that's pretty obvious. They should re-sign for 10-15 years and evaluate again in 10 years. Save and invest profits in the meantime so they can buy their own next stadium.

Same story applies to the Bears as well. Stay at Soldier Field another 10 years at least.