The proposed stadium would be strategically located on the shores of Lake Erie, south of the existing Soldier Field. It's designed to emulate the state-of-the-art features seen in NFL's latest stadiums, such as the Las Vegas Raiders' Allegiant Dome. Unlike Soldier Field, the new venue will have a fixed roof, which was chosen over a retractable roof to avoid an additional cost of several hundred million dollars, as stated by Kevin Warren, the Bears' president/CEO, during a press conference.
Despite the fixed roof, Warren assured that the stadium would still offer an "outdoor-esque experience," jokingly adding, "You may have to wear sunglasses." This would be a nod to the vibrant atmosphere they intend to maintain, despite the dome and the use of artificial turf.
The new stadium is expected to boast a seating capacity of 65,000, slightly more than Soldier Field's 61,500�the smallest in the NFL. Plans for Soldier Field after the construction of the new stadium include demolishing the old structure but preserving its iconic colonnades. These will be integrated into publicly accessible fields and gardens, maintaining a piece of Chicago's architectural heritage.
POLL | ||
3 MAI | 74 ANSWERS Illinois Governor Calls Bears' $4.7 Billion Stadium Plan a 'Nonstarter Do you support public funding for private sports stadiums? | ||
Yes | 24 | 32.4 % |
No | 50 | 67.6 % |
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