Alderman stalls Wrigley plan

October 24, 2002

BY FRAN SPIELMAN CITY HALL REPORTER

Last-minute opposition from a North Side alderman Wednesday derailed an agreement to landmark Wrigley Field that would have paved the way for an elusive stadium expansion.

Sources said the Daley administration and the Cubs had agreed on all of the elements of a landmarking deal that would preserve Wrigley's scoreboard, marquee, ivy-covered walls and other "key items nobody would even dream" of destroying and still allow the team to expand the bleachers.

The tentative agreement included a height limit for a proposed bleacher expansion that would have preserved the view of the Wrigleyville neighborhood from inside the stadium looking out, but not necessarily the view from rooftop clubs looking in, sources said.

Cubs attorneys reportedly went to City Hall on Wednesday to iron out final details, only to be told that Ald. Bernard Hansen (44th), whose ward includes Wrigley Field, had demanded another meeting with top mayoral aides.

Hansen reportedly wants the city to landmark the Wrigley bleachers as is, a controversial move that would preclude the Cubs from adding any bleacher seats.

After meeting with Hansen, top mayoral aides informed the Cubs that the deadline for landmarking Wrigley, due to expire Wednesday, would be extended yet again--this time until Nov. 27.

Hansen was tight-lipped about the meeting. He said Wednesday's meeting marked the first time he had seen anything more than "bits and pieces" of the proposed landmarking agreement in the two years that mayoral aides have been negotiating with the Cubs.

Marathon negotiations between the Cubs and the rooftop clubs outside Wrigley broke down last month. Team officials wanted the rooftop owners to sign a licensing agreement that acknowledges they were paying for the right to view Cubs games. The owners were unwilling to do that.

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