Kevin Warren Allegedly Exerting Influence in Bears' Stadium Battle
In the wake of Ted Phillips' retirement, the Chicago Bears have ushered in a new era with the appointment of Kevin Warren as their team president. With Warren's commendable experience in franchise management and his instrumental role in sculpting the Minnesota Vikings into a first-rate organization during the late 2000s and early 2010s, it was no wonder the Bears were quick to secure him. His poise under the limelight, which was honed during his tenure as Big Ten commissioner, only further solidifies his suitability for the role. However, it's his expertise in stadium construction that truly makes him an asset to the team.
As a key figure in the creation of U.S. Bank Stadium, the well-acclaimed home of the Vikings, Warren has demonstrated his aptitude for spearheading new stadium projects. The Bears, following their acquisition of Arlington Racecourse International, are setting their sights on a similar endeavor - constructing a new stadium. As Caroline Kubzansky of the Chicago Tribune reported:
However, this journey hasn't been devoid of obstacles. The Bears currently find themselves embroiled in a sprawling property tax dispute with three local school districts, whose financial stability could be jeopardized by property tax concessions designed to aid the team's development efforts.
Upcoming on June 2 is a hearing at the Cook County Board of Review regarding the recent property tax assessment. Despite the current payment obligation falling on Churchill Downs, the outcome of the hearing will also impact the Bears' property tax bills for the next two years. That said, the Bears retain the option to contest the property tax assessment for the following year, or even the year after, potentially reducing their future tax bills.
As this dispute unfolds, both the school districts and the Bears are at loggerheads over the team's property tax obligations. The school districts have proposed a land value of $95 million, a suggestion that team president Kevin Warren has promptly dismissed as a "nonstarter."
Warren is already proving his worth. His resolve in the face of these negotiations is unwavering, and his primary goal remains securing the most favorable deal for his organization. Despite the legitimate concerns raised by the school boards, Warren is determined to strike a fair balance. It's expected that the Bears will iron out these issues by the time the demolition process is complete. The underlying objective throughout this early phase is to obtain as many tax breaks as feasible while gathering the necessary funds to build the stadium and the surrounding infrastructure.
The finish line for the Bears is breaking ground on the new stadium, a process Kevin Warren is well aware will span approximately three years. Despite this long-term goal, team chairman George McCaskey has refrained from making any premature declarations, fully cognizant that the new stadium isn't a guarantee. However, the team's intentions are clear, and they've brought Warren onboard to realize this ambition. And while Chicago's political landscape may present challenges, Warren seems undeterred and ready to tackle any hurdles that stand in the team's way.
| POLL | ||
30 MAI | 61 ANSWERS Kevin Warren Allegedly Exerting Influence in Bears' Stadium Battle Will the Bears move out of Soldier Fields soon? | ||
| Yes | 45 | 73.8 % |
| No | 16 | 26.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
