The Ricketts family has now spun off the Cubs marketing department into a separate company. The new company signed its first client, the Cubs. It makes perfect sense for a disjointed organization.
The Ricketts family also threw out more artist renderings for their vision of the New Wrigley Field. But this time, they have given up on trying to squeeze millions in taxpayer dollars for their renovation. The original $400 million Wrigley Field proposal suddenly has changed to a $300 million Wrigley rehab and development of the McDonald's hotel property across the street. In return, all the Ricketts family wants is that government and the neighbors just leave them alone; let the Cubs do anything they want on their properties.
The Ricketts must be living in cave. They purchased the Cubs and Wrigley Field knowing that a) there were severe zoning restrictions on the property; b) that Wrigley Field has landmark status which requires certain preservation; c) that the rooftop owners have a deal with the team for unobstructed views in exchange for 17% of the revenue; d) the Cubs are already in default on the triangle building plan that was approved in exchange for the bleacher expansion under Tribune ownership and e) the neighborhood is primarily residential in character so the neighbors do have a say on what is done to their neighborhood. But today, none of that really matters to ownership. They are now real estate "developers" with properties to re-create in their own business image.
The "get the government off my back" message does not play well when a multimillionaires are at the bullhorn. Every business in the city needs to comply with the rules. Zoning rules are very strict. Aldermen in Chicago have their one power point in their wards: control of zoning and development. Wrigleyville Alderman Tunney was skeptical of the plans from the outset; stating that community involvement in any expansion of Cubs business and events at Wrigley needs to meet neighbor's concerns.
The Ricketts want Wrigley to be a 365 day, 24/7 entertainment complex. They want to build a 175 room hotel across the street. That is not a "boutique," or small operation. Hotels are high traffic and congestion places that operate all day and night. The neighbors are concerned about more traffic, noise, and trash a large hotel-retail complex will generate next to Wrigley. In addition, the "new" plans basically increase the number of sky boxes, restaurants and "party decks" - - - which have the common denominator of more alcohol sales. Wrigley Field is turning into a Disney-esque theme park of bars and restaurants that compete on a daily basis with the neighborhood joints. And the Ricketts want to end the cap on night games and "other events" at Wrigley. The Cubs owners would want their entertainment complex to be used (with paying customers) for more concerts, soccer games, corporate outings, etc. on a daily basis, on each and every day the Cubs don't play. It does not matter that the field would turn Soldier Field bad by overuse and misuse from multiple concerts or other sporting events. Ricketts seems to be offended that Wrigley sits idle for most the year.
All of the changes proposed by Ricketts do really nothing to add to the prospect of getting better players or building a better ball club. Ricketts was clear that the real estate is a "separate" family business than the Cubs. The Cubs have fallen to mere tenant status in business hierarchy of the Ricketts Lakeview operations. The Cubs were also looked upon as a mere entertainment chip of programming by the Tribune, so it languished as a step-child to the Trib broadcasting higher cable and network ambitions.
So the city and the neighborhood will push back on Ricketts grand plans. And Ricketts will pout and yell that there is a conspiracy against him. So be it. The massive changes to the historic look, views and beauty that is the picture postcard memories of long time Cubs fans will drive baseball fans away. The charm of Wrigley Field is that it is a throwback to a simple era. The plastering of advertising signs and electronic billboards cheapen that charm. Ricketts loudly proclaims that he is not "running a museum." But again, he bought a team with a landmark ball park so he should have known that preservation was part of the deal. If he wants to line the outfield ivy with beer and athletic shoe ads, or add jumbo trons above the bleacher catwalks to block the rooftops - - - in essence making the field into a shanty AA ball park, then maybe the Ricketts should have purchased the Royals instead of the Cubs.
