Cubs landmark freeze extended

November 27, 2002, 9:07 PM CST

The Daley administration Wednesday extended a freeze on deciding the landmark status of Wrigley Field until Dec. 13, enabling negotiations with the Chicago Cubs over a proposed expansion of the park and other issues to continue.

The freeze was to have expired Wednesday, but "some positive steps have been taken recently, and both sides vowed to work together over the next couple of weeks to reach an agreement," said Peter Scales, a city Planning Department spokesman.

"We are pleased substantial progress has been made," said Mark McGuire, Cubs executive vice president of business operations. "There is still some time to dot the i's and cross the t's, and we should have this wrapped up by the 13th."

Scales and McGuire declined to provide details about the negotiations.

The Cubs are seeking an accord that would protect important elements of Wrigley but still permit construction of a bleachers addition with nearly 2,000 seats. The team also wants city permission to phase in more night games and is seeking to purchase a city-owned parcel.

McGuire said that the team had received a new offer from owners of rooftop businesses bordering the park but declined to reveal details. The owners are seeking an agreement under which they would pay the Cubs for profiting from their location in return for a bleacher expansion that would not block their customers' views.

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

Copyright © 2002, The Chicago Tribune