Wrigley Field renovations could take longer than anticipated

Wrigley Field is in the midst of a long-overdue renovation. Unfortunately, the renovations may take one year longer than anticipated, with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts back in the forefront of what is already controversial issue.

In addition to Wrigley Field’s 100th anniversary, the year 2014 marked the first phase of a $375 million facelift to one of Major League Baseball‘s most beloved relics.

The upgrades were planned to be completed in four phases, with all renovations finished in time for Opening Day 2018. It appears, however, that the christening of the renewed Friendly Confines will have to be put on hold for a little longer than anticipated.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Cubs chairman and owner Tom Ricketts announced yesterday that the Wrigley restoration, known as The 1060 Project, will take an extra year to complete.

The renovations have already taken a heavy toll on the Lakeview community which the stadium calls home. Among the chief complaints are heavy increases in traffic and road construction, as well as what some residents are calling the worst rat problem they have ever witnessed in the area.

Lakeview resident Nick Rosetti is just one of many who have been affected by the constant construction.

“I just wish it would hurry up and be done already,” Rosetti said. “The roads are all messed up around here, and there is clay and dirt all over the sidewalks.”

According to Bennett Lawson, Chief-of-Staff of Chicago’s 44th ward which houses the ballpark, the worst of the construction is almost in the past.

“We are working with CDOT (Chicago Department of Transportation) and Streets and Sanitation to address these issues,” Lawson said. “We know there are some headaches that come along with any construction project, especially one of this size. This phase is, by far, the most intense of the project and it will be more bearable starting this summer.”

Aside from minor roadwork near the stadium, the majority of the remaining renovations pertain to revitalizing the stadium itself and establishing several amenities for year-round community use.

Hazardous winter conditions and unforeseen problems relating to the harsh weather contributed to the delay, and after Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel denied a request to work around the clock to make up for lost time, the one-year delay was inevitable.

Cubs fans will finally receive the benefit of witnessing the first video board in team history, but one aspect of Phase One that will be negatively impacted by the delay is the improvements planned for Wrigley’s famous bleachers.

This aspect of the project is sure to irk lifelong Cubs fans who grew up watching games amongst the always-loyal Bleacher Bums, including Ricketts himself.

“I’m out in the bleachers all the time and I have a lot of friends out there,” Ricketts said. “I’m disappointed that we can’t service them a little better. But, that said, once every 100 years someone has to fix the park, and we want to make sure we do it right. At this point, that has to be our priority.”

A project of this magnitude involving a cultural landmark, not just to Chicagoans but to baseball fans everywhere, requires immense sensitivity in the face of constant criticism.

There are talks that the unfinished bleachers will be covered with a tribute to the late Cubs legend Ernie Banks. With Ricketts’ self-proclaimed dedication to doing this the right way, I cannot imagine a classier way to overcome this obstacle than by paying homage to “Mr. Cub” himself.

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