Efforts to keep the NFL’s Chicago Bears in the city have led a developer to propose a site on Chicago’s South Side. Last week, Farpoint Development revealed renderings of a covered stadium and mixed-use complex on the grounds of the former Michael Reese Hospital.

Michael Reese Hospital site back in discussion

The plan calls for a $3.2 billion, 75,000-seat stadium, which would become the home of the founding franchise of the NFL. Additionally, $356 million would be allocated to privately funded parking and infrastructure. The project also includes a park bridge over Lake Shore Drive and 5 million square feet of development space. Farpoint stated that $600 million in public funds would be required for infrastructure work that the government would typically finance.

We believe in Chicago, said Scott Goodman, founder of Farpoint Development, in an official statement. We have proposed that the Bears consider our location, which is appropriate and large enough to accommodate a stadium. It also fits with the South Side of Chicago, connecting it to downtown. The Bears declined to comment on the proposal. In the past, they have rejected the idea of building a new stadium on this 48.6-acre site, citing concerns that the space is too narrow and that the commuter rail tracks present an engineering challenge. The City of Chicago purchased the Michael Reese site years ago, hoping to develop it into an Olympic Village for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but the Games were ultimately awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

Some Bears fans have expressed optimism about the South Side proposal. This is a way better plan than the lakefront option, wrote a user on X. It’s close to public transit, doesn’t have legal issues with park conservation groups, and is accessible from the suburbs. Better than Arlington Heights, another fan added, but also stated: We are not paying for it.

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Are the Bears leaning toward the lakefront?

Bears President Kevin Warren has repeatedly emphasized that his top priority is building a stadium next to Soldier Field, as part of a larger lakefront museum complex renovation. The lakefront plan, unveiled in spring 2023, includes a $3.2 billion stadium and an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure, which could include a publicly managed hotel. The project has been fully endorsed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, but it has faced resistance from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and state legislators.

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Arlington Heights still hopes to lure the Bears

Earlier this month, the Arlington Heights City Council voted to continue its efforts to attract the Chicago Bears to their suburban location. This includes renewing contracts with engineering firms to assess the feasibility of building a stadium on the former Arlington Park racetrack. The Bears are also conducting their own economic and traffic impact studies for the site. Representing 68,000 residents and businesses, we need to carefully evaluate the impact this project will have on our community and surrounding suburbs. We must ensure it is done correctly, said Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, a former Bears player.

The Bears have already demolished the Arlington Park racetrack, leaving the site as an empty field. It has been more than two years since the team purchased the property. In September 2022, the team revealed a nearly $5 billion plan, which included restaurants, retail spaces, and entertainment venues. However, now that local tax issues have been resolved, supporters of the suburban stadium option are eager to see progress. Arlington Heights officials emphasize that talks with the Bears are ongoing, but many details remain unresolved. The Bears’ spokesperson declined to comment on both the Michael Reese and Arlington Heights proposals.

© Farpoint Development

Bears determined to begin stadium construction this year

In response to the Bears' potential relocation to the suburbs, then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot presented a Soldier Field renovation plan on July 25, 2022, aimed at convincing the team to stay in its current location. Three options were presented, with the most spectacular and expensive one—estimated at $2.2 billion—proposing to cover the stadium with a massive, glass roof supported by four pillars. However, the Bears remain determined to begin construction on a new stadium in 2025, and President Kevin Warren has reiterated that the team still prefers to build in Chicago.