In the never ending moving target that is the Wrigley "rehabilitiation" project, the Ricketts are going back to the Chicago Landmark Commission, again, to revise their plans.
This time to eliminate one sign and reduce the size of the scoreboard.
These requirements are needed in order to trying to get approximately $70 million in "historic preservation" tax credits from the federal government. For those unaware how tax credits work, it gives a person or corporation in essence non-taxation on other income in order to promote the maintenance of landmark structures.
So when the Ricketts initially said they would not be using any taxpayer money on their project, they lied. Tax credits take tax dollars from government treasuries so taxpayers have to make up the difference.
But the most crazy aspect of this whole scheme is lost by everyone in the media like a deer in headlights: Wrigley Field is a historic landmark in its current structure, but the Ricketts family wants to designate it a "historic landmark" AFTER all the new, modern, electronic signage has been built in the bleachers.
None of the new signage has anything to do with the century old character of the building.
It is like a movie theater chain buying Ford's Theater in D.C., knocking it down to build a 20 screen Cineplex, then ask for huge historic tax credits because Lincoln was shot in the premises.
The whole idea that the new signs have any "historical" significance is absurd. They have not even been built yet! How can any person with common sense believe that preservation tax breaks can be used not to preserve the existing structure but totally change it.
IN many communities, landmark districts have strict rules. Owners of buildings must comply with the type of materials used to repair and maintain their buildings. Paints have to meet historical color standards. It costs more to to replace rotting siding with wood plank than with a modern vinyl product. So that is why tax break assistance is thought to be in the community's best interests to keep the aesthetic nature of an old downtown district.
AS I have mentioned previously in this blog, there is going to be a national jaw drop once the "improvements" at Wrigley Field have been completed. The memories of Wrigley Field that was televised throughout the nation on the WGN superstation will be jarred by the commercial overload of bleacher signage.
But when Ricketts talk about "restoring" Wrigley Field, they are really meaning that they are trying to make the most money as possible from their venue.
