Dec. 04--The Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday approved another revised plan from the Chicago Cubs to renovate Wrigley Field, with this one coming after the National Park Service made recommendations amid concerns over the team's plans for expanded advertising in the outfield.
The plan -- approved 6-1 -- removes a script sign in left field while reducing other signs and relocating others.
A Jumbotron in left field is still scheduled to greet fans by opening day next year, and the Cubs are still allowed to erect another video board and four open-backed script signs.
The Park Service oversees federal tax breaks for renovations of historic structures and the Cubs want to soften the $375 million cost to renovate the century-old stadium with up to $75 million in tax credits. The Ricketts family, which bought the team in 2009, is paying for the project without a direct public subsidy, a rarity in today's sports business environment.
In July, the Cubs received approval from the commission to erect up to seven advertising signs in the outfield, including two video boards.
But the Park Service, which had approved the left-field Jumbotron and right-field script sign, balked at the additional advertising, according to a memo to the team. The agency was concerned that the two video screens and five signs would take the focus away from the historic center-field scoreboard and recommended that the team reduce the number of signs.
"What we're undertaking is really restoring a ballpark that in some cases is looking at things that haven't been seen for decades or close to 100 years," Cubs official Mike Lufrano told the commission.
The Cubs made other concessions to receive approval for the signs.
A right-field video screen would come down in size to 2,200 square feet from 2,400 square feet and it will be located closer to the foul line, where the bleachers are not as tall. The new location allows the video screen to be set lower. A script sign that the Cubs planned to put in that location will be moved closer to the center-field scoreboard.
"This really underscores how detailed this is and the challenge that we have with trying to get this done in 26 weeks," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said afterward. "With all the intricate discussion and coordination that has to take place, our plan is to still stay here and play baseball because we know what Wrigley Field means to this city and what it means to the economy."
Although the left-field Jumbotron will be closer to the historic scoreboard than previously approved, it still will be farther than the script sign that has since been removed.
The signs have become a source of controversy during the renovations of Wrigley Field because they stand to potentially block lucrative views into the ballpark from surrounding rooftop clubs. Those clubs have a revenue-sharing agreement with the team. The Cubs are negotiating with the clubs, possibly to buy them.
Tom Moore, a lawyer for the rooftops -- including some who have sued the commission over its July decision -- said changing the locations of the signs was done to block the views of rooftop clubs that are unwilling to sell to the Cubs and free up views to those willing to sell.
After the commission's July decision, Moore said, "Crane Kenney repeatedly told rooftop owners that thanks to the landmark commission decision he could now block their views and put them out of business. Alternatively, he said that he would buy their businesses at fire sale prices -- take it or leave it."
Green declined to comment on Moore's allegations after the meeting.
Mark Schlenker, who owns the Brixen Ivy rooftops, said he supports the Cubs making more revenue but that there's no reason the team can't compensate him given how much the Cubs are worth.
"I've been working tirelessly to run a small business," he said. "But now the wealthy have made a billion dollars and I've got to basically lay off some people and I don't even know if my business is going to survive."
Other changes approved today include adding two elevators in the left- and right-field bleachers for people who need them, a change that will lead to a reduction in seats.
At the meeting, Eleanor Gorski, director of the city's historic preservation office, said the team discovered during bleacher renovations that portions of the brick wall may need to be replaced in the future. The goal for now is to keep the wall "stable" during the current phase.
Cubs officials said they are prepared for any changes to the ivy and the wall, including protecting any ivy temporarily removed. They also said ivy is being grown in greenhouses as a fallback option.
Wrigley has been an official city landmark since 2004, which means the landmarks commission must review and approve changes to its legally protected features.
Tribune reporter Ameet Sachdev contributed.
jahopkins@tribpub.com
Twitter @jaredshopkins
