Chicago Construction News staff writer
During a public presentation at Soldier Field last week, the Bears unveiled plans to build a new, fixed-roof stadium along Chicago’s lakefront.
The Burnham Park Project includes a new publicly-owned multipurpose replacement stadium located just south of Soldier Field that’s part of a singular year-round hub centered on park-based culture and recreation. 
“This is an incredibly, incredibly special day for the Chicago Bears,” said Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, “for the City of Chicago, for the state of Illinois, for our ownership, for our players, for our coaches, for our staff members, for the alumni and for our incredible Chicago Bear fans.
“Today is about progress, and one of the things that I am most excited about today is the fact that this shows that in this city we have the intellectual capabilities, we have the heart, we have the passion, we have the foresight, we have the wisdom, we have the vision to do big things.”
The proposal includes year-round recreational and community uses and an increase in open and green space, including 14 acres of athletic fields and recreational park space for use by public and youth sports programs.
A three-acre promenade and plaza area will include a cultural attraction focused on sports and Soldier Field history. Also, a publicly-owned hotel could also be included on the recreation and cultural campus.
“The Bears have been proud to call Chicago home for more than 100 years,” said Bears chairman George H. McCaskey. “Perhaps no other sports team embodies the character of the city it represents better than the Bears and Chicago. Our founder, George Halas, emphasized the importance of being a champion for Chicago. This has been part of the foundation of our organization. That is why we are excited to invest in the greatest city in the world through a stadium project and site improvements that will benefit Chicagoans and visitors.”
The contemporary architectural design complements the existing architecture featuring an enclosed, fixed roof; spectacular views of Chicago’s skyline and lakefront; intimate seating for unparalleled sight lines and open spaces for congregating.
“This is a beautiful day for the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “It really is, and as a lifelong Bears fan, it is an honor to be here to celebrate the Bears’ commitment to remaining the *Chicago *Bears. This is going to reinvigorate the entire City of Chicago. It would be the crown jewel of the City of Chicago.”
