PILSEN — Mayor Rahm Emanuel didn't take sides on an ongoing dispute between the Cubs and Wrigley rooftop owners Tuesday, but he did tell the team to "be a good neighbor."
"I think we have a situation where ... Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville can both gain," he said during a news conference in Pilsen. "I think the ownership needs to be a good neighbor. Not talk about a traffic plan, invest in one. Not talk about a safety plan, invest in one. Not talk about the opportunity for kids and families and neighborhoods with investments in the park areas, do that."
The Cubs reached a compromise that cleared the way for the Wrigley rehab to go forward last year, but delayed starting in on it until receiving promises from rooftop owners that they would drop threats to file suit. More recently, however, the Cubs went ahead with a return to a more ambitious plan that would add outfield signs and block rooftop views. Rooftop owners have since said they'd accept last year's plan, but the Cubs are going ahead and presenting their new plans to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday.
Emanuel allowed that the Cubs should have the "opportunity to modernize Wrigley Field" and "need to upgrade the field," but he did not take sides between the Cubs and rooftop owners except to say they both should have an "open-door policy" on continuing negotiations.
Both the Cubs and rooftop owners did not immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday on the mayor's advice.
