CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs released renderings Tuesday of changes to the Wrigley Field renovation plan, including a proposed new video board in right field and light standards beyond the outfield.
The Cubs announced last week that they would ask the city to approve more signs in the outfield at Wrigley, a move that comes after "endless hours" of negotiating with rooftop owners have gone nowhere, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a video.
The team is proposing five more signs in the outfield, including the second video board and four LED signs — bringing the total number in the field to seven. It's also asking for the extra outfield lights and bleacher seating.
In the six-minute video to fans last week, Ricketts blamed rooftop owners for delaying the renovation of the field, saying, "Despite the city's approval and our clear contractual rights, they plan to file lawsuits to stop our renovation and expansion plans."
In the video, Ricketts said the team had decided to go "with our original plan," which had been "tapered" to appease rooftop owners during the political process.
The new proposal also calls for adding 300 seats and 300 standing-room positions, team spokesman Julian Green said. The loss of 100 seats and 500 standing-room positions from last year's plan for the renovations means the field's overall net capacity would not increase, Green said.
A 30,000-square-foot player clubhouse would be built underneath the outdoor plaza, and a right field video screen that's already been approved would be reduced to nearly 4,000 square feet in the new plan.
The Cubs gained the city's approval last summer for a $500 million project to renovate the field and develop the area outside the ballpark after months of tumult with neighbors.
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 management of the iconic team.
