WRIGLEYVILLE — The ivy at Wrigley Field wouldn't be contained to just the outfield walls under renovation plans displayed this week.
A rendering of a proposed pedestrian bridge that would span Clark Street just north of Addison shows hanging ivy spilling over planters along the sides of the bridge.
In the center of the span is a large Cubs logo. And written over the bridge's arching top is "Welcome to Cubs Plaza."
The team unveiled renderings of planned developments outside the field this week, including the bridge that would connect the proposed hotel at Clark and Addison with a proposed plaza across Clark.
As part of the $500 million plan to renovate Wrigley Field and develop its surroundings, the team requested free air rights from the city for the bridge.
The city, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and the Cubs reached a framework deal in negotiations earlier this month, but details on whether the team must pay to build in the public way — both with the bridge and with plans to extend left and right field onto public sidewalks — are still being worked out.
Team chairman Tom Ricketts debuted drawings of the video screen and outside development at the City Club of Chicago Wednesday. He said if plans for a 6,000-square-foot video screen in left field are blocked, he must consider moving the team away from Wrigley Field. And when asked about whether that meant more flexibility in other parts of the development, he responded that all aspects of the Cubs' proposal are critical.
The planned hotel, office building and corresponding pedestrian bridge must still go through the planned development process and requires community input before gaining the city's approval.
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the team's day-to-day operations.
