Ald. Tom Tunney and the Lakeview neighborhood voiced their displeasure with the announcement Tom Ricketts made overnight Thursday that the team was moving forward with the plans to expand, restore and renovate Wrigley Field without an agreement in place with the Wrigleyville Rooftop Association.
There is concern among the Alderman and neighborhood that the additions and changes the Cubs have made to the Wrigley plan have already been approved due to the meeting with the Landmarks Commission being scheduled for June 5.
Ald. Tom Tunney told the media, “I’m opposed to any further signs at Wrigley Field beyond those agreed to last year.” Tunney pointed out “the renovation plan passed by the City Council last summer included a very generous sign package” and he “is disappointed that hard-earned compromise is being jeopardized.”
According to multiple reports, Tunney said, “The neighborhood gave a lot of concession to pass this planned development. We literally rolled out the red carpet to keep the team at the historic corner of Clark and Addison. I believe the ‘great neighbor’ goal is missing from this latest proposal and needs to be respected.”
If a sign permit is issued, Ald. Tunney said he believes a lawsuit will be filed “and the courts will decide.”
The Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman spoke with Wrigleyville community leaders on Thursday and received angry responses to the Cubs announcement and “warned” there could be a “political blacklash if Mayor Rahm Emanuel agrees to it.”
- Click Here for reaction from the neighborhood leaders – Community Leaders Lash Out at Cubs for Revised Wrigley Plan – Sun-Times
David Kaplan was given a copy of the contract the Cubs have with the rooftop clubs during the off-season. Here is a link to the details of the contract that Kaplan shared: