Oct 30, 2009 1:10 pm US/Central
WBBM 780: Sox Planning Restaurant, Bars On 35th St
WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reporting
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Picture it as a little bit of Wrigleyville on the South Side.
Many Chicagoans have long complained that when they go to a White Sox game on the South Side, there aren't any restaurants or bars right outside the stadium like there are outside Wrigley Field when they go to Cubs game.
WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports that a new plan for the area outside U.S. Cellular Field could change that.
As WBBM's Steve Miller reports exclusively, there's a plan to put a restaurant and retail shops on 35th Street across the street from U-S Cellular Field.
Under the plan, the block where the original Comiskey Park once stood could become home to an entertainment complex that would hopefully bring more fans out to see White Sox games.
"Hopefully a couple of restaurants, a sports bar and some retail," said Perri Irmer, CEO for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the developer and owner of U.S. Cellular Field. She said they're studying "various funding options" for the building.
"Our objective is to provide the community and the White Sox fan base with entertainment and options and a vibrant area that they can visit before and after games and all year," Irmer said, adding that any development would have to be market-driven.
Ald. James Balcer (11th) represents the Bridgeport neighborhood, home to U.S. Cellular Field. He said he likes the plan.
"Everything is ready to go. We've just got to get the economy percolating a little bit more and we'll have some nice shops there and a nice restaurant," Balcer said. "It would be good for the neighborhood, good for the Sox, good for everyone in Chicago. It's a great thing, and there's plenty of parking over by Cellular Field that can accommodate this."
A spokesman for the White Sox said they're not aware of any plan, but an insider said the Sox just aren't ready to roll it out yet.
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