ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Amid questions and concerns he said he and the Arlington Village Board have received recently regarding the potential future demolition of the Arlington International Racecourse site by the Chicago Bears, Mayor Thomas Hayes addressed residents at Monday’s Village Board meeting. In a prepared statement, Hayes stressed that the Village has no authority to withhold approval of demolition at the site “if the application is complete and if the property owners’ demolition plans comply with the village code.”
On May 5, the Bears filed paperwork with the Village of Arlington Heights requesting to demolish certain structures at the former horse racetrack. The phased demolition would start by knocking down the interior of the grandstand at the 326-acre property. Daily Herald reported Tuesday that the cost to demolish Arlington would be approximately $3.8 million.
“The Village is in the process of reviewing the application to ensure that it is complete and any plans to demolish structures are consistent with requirements in the village code,” Hayes said. “Unlike residential or downtown applications, the issuance of commercial demolition permits in Arlington Heights is not subject to discretion.”
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In February, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the former Arlington Park racetrack. Team officials called it a “major step” in an expected long process geared toward building a new stadium and entertainment district on the property.
Hayes added that the Village Board has no role in the review or approval of such applications.
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“If this demolition permit is approved, the demolition schedule will be finalized. Once finalized, the demolition schedule will be then shared with the public,” Hayes said.
The Bears have said in the past that if things move forward with the team leaving Chicago’s Solider Field and starting play in Arlington Heights, the stadium “mega-project” would be one of the largest in Midwest history.
“We know everything you know and you know everything we know,” Trustee Jim Tinaglia said. “This is just one more step in the process that hopefully goes well, neat and sharp. We’re all in this together. Like I said last time we met, it’s a marathon and it’s just getting started right now. The race has a long way to go. “
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