Cubs, city still swinging for Wrigley deal

By Gary Washburn

November 25, 2002, 11:06 PM CST

City officials and representatives of the Cubs met Monday but failed to emerge from a City Hall bargaining session with an agreement on the future of Wrigley Field.

"We met, we talked about where we are and where we have to go," said Ald. Bernard Hansen (44th), who attended the session. "Yogi Berra has reminded everybody that "It isn't over until it's over,' and we are still talking."

Team officials have been seeking a compromise that would protect the ballpark's distinctive features under a landmarking agreement with the city but still permit a bleachers expansion project with about 2,000 seats.

Hansen declined to identify issues that remain to be resolved, but Mark McGuire, Cubs executive vice president of business operations, said that "one key sticking point" remains the alderman's desire for an agreement between the team and owners of rooftop businesses bordering the ballpark.

The Cubs and the business owners have sought an accord, so far without success, on a proposal to have the businesses pay the team for use of its product in return for a bleachers expansion design that would not block the view of rooftop customers.

"It is clearly important for [Hansen] that there be a negotiated agreement," McGuire said. A new offer from the owners is expected this week.

But Lee Bey, a top aide to Mayor Richard Daley, said that outstanding issues are "bigger than the rooftops.

"There are community concerns, and the city has to make sure they are addressed," he said.

Nevertheless, Bey would not say that Cubs proposals made weeks ago that seek to address problems ranging from traffic congestion to fan rowdiness are inadequate.

A freeze on the proposed Wrigley Field landmarking is scheduled to expire Wednesday.

"We are all interested in working this out as soon as possible," said Peter Scales, a spokesman for the city's Planning Department. "Today is only Monday, and the [freeze] doesn't expire until Wednesday. I expect the parties will continue to communicate over the next couple of days."

Also part of the discussions are a possible phase-in of more night games and acquisition by the team of a city-owned parcel of land adjacent to the ballpark.

The Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune.

Copyright © 2002, The Chicago Tribune