WRIGLEYVILLE — Two weeks before "batter up," Wrigley Field is doubling down on construction work to be ready for Opening Day.
Two of this year's major projects — the plaza and the Chicago Cubs office building — will not be finished in time for April 11's home opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
SCROLL DOWN FOR RENDERINGS OF WRIGLEY FIELD'S FUTURE LOOK
The Cubs have repeatedly promised the historic Wrigley Field marquee will return for Opening Day to its position above the Clark and Addison entrance, which was still covered as of Friday. The ballpark's steel facade was replaced piece by piece over the winter, and the marquee was removed for restoration.
Reporter Ariel Cheung details the latest on the Wrigley renovations.
As of Friday, the Wrigley Field marquee has not been returned to its spot over Clark and Addison. Cubs officials said it will be in place by Opening Day. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
An expansive underground clubhouse should be ready for Opening Day. The clubhouse — a remedy for "baseball's worst clubhouse" — features a batting cage, amphitheater and yoga studio and sits directly below the plaza.
Fans should be able to walk on the plaza in April, although it won't be ready for actual use until the fall, likely after the Cubs' 2016 season, officials said. The club continues to hash out details of the plaza's plan of operation — such as when it can sell alcohol — as well.
The renovations at Wrigley Field are expected to take five years, with 2016 wrapping up the second offseason of construction. But after delays last year, officials warned it could take an extra year to complete.
Like last year, the Cubs will continue work on the 1060 Project on non-game days. In 2015, work on the Budweiser Bleachers lasted into July, largely due to cold-weather delays in the offseason.
Meanwhile, with demolition of the Wrigley Field McDonald's complete, construction will begin soon on a hotel across from the Friendly Confines — the second of three major projects at the intersection. The long-planned Addison & Clark project will also begin demolition in the next two months.
When all is said and done, here's what you should expect to see in Wrigleyville. All renderings courtesy of the Chicago Cubs:
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.
RELATED:
• Cubs Don't Expect To Use New Clark Street Plaza Before End of 2016 Season
• Demolition To Begin Soon For Huge Project Just South of Wrigley Field
• New Wrigleyville Starbucks To Open In Old Hi-Tops, Harry Caray's Location
• Read Tunney's Plan for Wrigley Field Plaza, Such as When It Can Sell Booze
• See What the Cubs Are Building This Offseason For Wrigley Plaza, Clubhouse
• Why Do the Cubs Want to Block Off Clark and Addison During Games?
• Farmers Markets, Ice Rink, Metal Detectors Coming to Wrigley in Plaza Plan
• Area Around Wrigley Is 'Just Not That Great,' Cubs Chairman Tells The Score
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: