Bridgeport, South Loop Residents Lambaste Plan for New White Sox Stadium
Canal Edge’s plan would pair a privately financed stadium with retail and possible Northwestern Medicine space, while Amtrak’s project could free the riverfront site.
- White Sox owner-in-waiting Justin Ishbia unveiled concept images Saturday for a new privately financed ballpark in the South Loop, dubbed 'The Railyards,' as part of a mixed-use development where an Amtrak railyard currently operates.
- Amtrak plans a 24/7 maintenance facility near Rate Field in Bridgeport, backed by more than $600 million in federal funds, to replace an aging facility and improve on-time performance for rail customers.
- On Tuesday, hundreds of residents and elected officials, including 11th Ward Alderperson Nicole Lee, rallied outside Rate Field to protest the project, citing noise pollution and potential economic devastation for Bridgeport.
- Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley threatened federal funding for the project, while the White Sox stated they were 'completely unaware' of the facility's scope and scale before the announcement.
- Federal 'categorical exclusion' rules allow Amtrak to bypass environmental reviews, though opponents argue the railroad cannot use preemptive powers to override community will; construction is expected to begin this fall.
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New Sox stadium plan moves Amtrak yard near Rate Field, residents protest - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - A new Amtrak maintenance facility to be constructed in Bridgeport and the proposal for a new White Sox stadium on the land of Amtrak's current facility have drawn pushback from community members opposed to the change. Plans were unveiled by likely [...]
Local elected officials, residents decry plan to move Sox out of Bridgeport — and Amtrak in – Chicago Sun-Times
Ald. Nicole Lee, whose ward includes Bridgeport, said 35-year-old Rate Field has “life left” in it — though the area around it needs sprucing up. “Taken together, this plan would be devastating for our community,” who live just hundreds of feet from the proposed site of the new Amtrak facility, said Lee. “We know we have to modernize the stadium and modernize and develop these areas along 35th Street."
Bridgeport residents, lawmakers oppose Amtrak facility, especially as Sox pitch new stadium location
Bridgeport residents and elected officials are voicing opposition to Amtrak's planned rail maintenance facility, arguing the project could disrupt the neighborhood and worsen concerns about the future of the area if the Chicago White Sox relocate.
Chicago Sun Times
Usa news siteLocal elected officials, residents decry plan to move Sox out of Bridgeport — and Amtrak in
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) said 35-year-old Rate Field, where the White Sox play now, has "life left" in it, even if the area around it could be spruced up.
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