Bears Board Advances Hammond Plan Near Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, and the team said Friday that soldier field is part of a plan now moving forward with a site still to be selected. It was the first time the Bears’ board had voted on any stadium site, putting Hammond at the front of the team’s search.
Hammond Takes The Lead
“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected.” That statement from Bears leaders leaves one major piece unresolved, but it also moves the project from broad search to a named city and a more specific process.
The team said Wolf Lake Park is believed to be the most viable location. The Bears have described the new stadium as a $3.2 billion project, and they said a world-class stadium in Hammond would transform the region.
McDermott Welcomes The Bears
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said Friday that the Chicago Bears chose Hammond, Indiana. Earlier this week, he had said, “They're making a huge mistake if they don't choose Hammond, in my opinion.” He also said, “Let's just be honest: They can't get it done. They haven't gotten it done, are not going to get it done,” after Illinois legislators failed to pass a mega-projects bill that would have allowed the Bears not to pay property taxes on an Arlington Heights site.
McDermott’s new statement was more direct: “The Chicago Bears chose Hammond, Indiana because they see what I have said for years: Hammond is a successful city of opportunity and possibility, an excellent choice for such a significant investment. The city of Hammond and the entirety of Northwest Indiana will benefit from this transformative investment. I am proud to have partnered with our state leaders to secure this win; I'm grateful to Gov. Mike Braun, Speaker Todd Huston, Sen Ryan Mishler and our local legislators who pushed this deal over the goal line!”
Braun Backs Northwest Indiana
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also welcomed the move on Friday, saying, “Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!” He added, “We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the '85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come.”
Braun also called the project a regional lift, saying, “An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven't seen before.” Phil Taillon, president of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, said Bears fans may be bitter at first because of the team’s long history in Chicago, but he expects that reaction to soften once the new building is in place.
Taillon said, “I think Bears fans are going to be a little bitter at first because of the nostalgic aspect of how long they've been in Chicago, but I really feel like once this is in place and they step foot into the new building they're gonna be excited just like we are in Indiana,” as the Bears’ stadium push now shifts from debate to site selection.
