Bears pendulum swings back towards suburban Arlington Heights Stadium

[comet52]

Where does most of the ticket-buying Bears fan base reside? That plays into it. I remember ages ago when they built the Metrodome, there were proposals to build in the northern suburbs or Anoka. And the team shot those down because something like 85% of it's ticket-buying fans lived south of downtown. I think a big part of why it got build downtown was the Star Tribune owned some of the land and gave it to them iirc. And the Strib definitely loved the idea of a stadium a short walk from their hq.

[purplefaithful]

Where does most of the ticket-buying Bears fan base reside?  That plays into it.  I remember ages ago when they built the Metrodome, there were proposals to build in the northern suburbs or Anoka.  And the team shot those down because something like 85% of it's ticket-buying fans lived south of downtown.  I think a big part of why it got build downtown was the Star Tribune owned some of the land and gave it to them iirc.  And the Strib definitely loved the idea of a stadium a short walk from their hq.

The olde Startribune HQ bldg was "kaput" when USB was built:

Star Tribune did lose its longtime headquarters building on Portland Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis when U.S. Bank Stadium was being built. The newspaper moved its newsroom and headquarters to a new facility at 650 Third Avenue South in March 2015. The sale of the old headquarters and adjacent land paved the way for the revitalization of Downtown East, including the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium

[JimmyinSD]

There is nothing retail/hotel oriented close to Soldier Field, you are correct. You have to walk West away from the stadium, under Lake Shore Drive and back into the city for any bars, restaurants, shopping, hotels etc. As MB mentions there's things like the aquarium, etc. not that far away but otherwise nothing and certainly nothing that would add to the gameday experience. The Le Meridien Essex where I stayed last year for the game was so perfect, across from Grant Park on Michigan Ave and just a <20 minute walk to the stadium. The hotel is just ok, but the location is amazing. 

I do think its a bit of a strange location for a stadium, but its been there a long time now. And there's nowhere else downtown to put it.

Ive stayed at the Essex myself,  the location is great,  I dont know about how safe it is these days, but 25 years ago when I stayed there it was a bit sketchy outside in the evenings.

[comet52]

The olde Startribune HQ bldg was "kaput" when USB was built:

Star Tribune did lose its longtime headquarters building on Portland Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis when U.S. Bank Stadium was being built. The newspaper moved its newsroom and headquarters to a new facility at 650 Third Avenue South in March 2015. The sale of the old headquarters and adjacent land paved the way for the revitalization of Downtown East, including the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium

I was talking about the original Metrodump. Newspapers had a lot more influence back then.

[StickierBuns]

Ive stayed at the Essex myself,  the location is great,  I dont know about how safe it is these days, but 25 years ago when I stayed there it was a bit sketchy outside in the evenings.

Its probably improved in 25 years, didn't feel unsafe at night there, but yeah its not as nice as other areas downtown. It was purchased by Marriott since you stayed there, so its ok inside, but its location to Soldier Field and that its a Marriott property (my wife and I have a shitload of points) is why we stayed there. Also the best bagel place we've ever ate at is right down the block: Tilly Bagel. Unbelievable. 

[JimmyinSD]

Its probably improved in 25 years, didn't feel unsafe at night there, but yeah its not as nice as other areas downtown. It was purchased by Marriott since you stayed there, so its ok inside, but its location to Soldier Field and that its a Marriott property (my wife and I have a shitload of points) is why we stayed there. Also the best bagel place we've ever ate at is right down the block: Tilly Bagel. Unbelievable. 

After I stayed there I referred to it as a super 8 with a bell hop,   its wasnt nearly as bad as other parts of Chicago,  but the element was there...but its Chicago,  its always there.

[StickierBuns]

After I stayed there I referred to it as a super 8 with a bell hop,   its wasnt nearly as bad as other parts of Chicago,  but the element was there...but its Chicago,  its always there.

Yeah, its been upgraded to a Le Meridien level Marriott property since you've been there, with a restaurant off the lobby called the Grant Park Bistro (view of the park).

[JimmyinSD]

Yeah, its been upgraded to a Le Meridien level Marriott property since you've been there, with a restaurant off the lobby called the Grant Park Bistro (view of the park).

LOL,  the restaurant was there at the time.  topic for another time though.

[StickierBuns]

LOL,  the restaurant was there at the time.  topic for another time though.

Ha ha, I think I remember you said something about that place back in the day.

[Waterboy]

I worked a few miles from the Arlington Park property.  Schaumburg is only 4 miles away with a large shopping, dining, hotel presence so it's actually not a bad location.  There's also lots in Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows.  The Bears have proposed an entertainment zone on the property with dining and shopping on the property which would be available year round..similar to many of the newer baseball complexes.  It would certainly make for a better tailgate experience as even the limited US Bank tailgating  space dwarves that at Soldier Field.

I'm very familiar with the area and the surrounding areas.  It is an ideal location to get to.  For most fans of the Bears, it will be much easier than getting to Soldier Field.  I would put the odds at 80%+ that AH is the eventual home.  I would have preferred it staying a horse track, but it is what it is, and I think people are fooling themselves if they think the Bears will stay near their current site.  I don't want them to leave, but I think it's nearly a slam dunk at this point.