The Chicago Fire's proposal to build a new 32 acre training facility at Hanson Park in Belmont Cragin has been posted on the Chicago Department of Planning and Development website. The plan is estimated to cost anywhere from $85 million to $90 million and would be completely privately funded.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Fire's proposal includes the following:
- Build seven soccer fields
- Three-story performance center that would serve as headquarters and a youth academy
- Renovation to Hanson Stadium to enable year-round use
- Parking
- Landscaping
- Outdoor lighting
- Seasonal inflatable dome for one of the fields
The Fire would enter a ground lease and shared-use agreement with Chicago Public Schools. This would enable the public to use a portion of the complex for various activities.
The team currently practices at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview and would continue to play its Major League Soccer matches at Soldier Field.
Fire owner and Chairman, Joe Mansueto, told the Tribune back in January that the team was looking for a 20 or 25 acre plot of land in the city.
"I would like to see our main training facility be somewhere in the city. To do that, for the vision we have, you need 20, 25 acres. And you know one of the downsides of being in a major metro like Chicago is it's pretty well built up. There isn't a lot of 24 acre parcels laying around. We've been looking over the past year. It's a long-term project, it's not something you can do overnight. We've got some ideas and we hope to make progress on that front in 2021."
Fire Owner & Chairman | Joe Mansueto
If this proposal gets approved, it would be the latest big-money purchase the Fire have made under Mansueto. They agreed to give Bridgeview $65.5 million to change the team's lease at SeatGeek Stadium and upgrade the soccer facilities at the southwest suburban venue.
The site is owned by CPS and Cook County and is also the location of three schools: Hanson Park Elementary, Charles A. Prosser Career Academy and Dr. Jorge Prieto Match and Science Academy. The location is at the southeast corner of Fullerton and Central Avenues at 5501 W. Fullerton Avenue.
The Department of Planning and Development are requiring a master-planned development zoning designation and other requirements by multiple public agencies.
According to Chicago.gov, the Fire will present their initial plans at a virtual community townhall at the Chicago Fire Performance Center on Thursday, June 10, 2021 which will be hosted by Alderman Gilbert Villegas of the 36th District in coordination with the Department of Planning and Development.
Input received from the town hall will be used by the Fire to finalize the Master PD application which will be submitted to City Council. The application will be reviewed by DPD before being forwarded for review by the Chicago Plan Commission, the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, and the full City Council.
