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Could parking ramp clinch Wrigley Field renovation plan?

Wrigley Field

Wrigleyville leaders are suggesting the Chicago Cubs could break a political logjam by adding a new parking ramp to a Wrigley Field renovation plan, as city and team official continues discussing the issue.

Alderman Tom Tunney, who represents Wrigleyville, says adding a new, large parking ramp at Clark and Grace (north of Wrigley Field) would help address parking issues in the area and could allow more night games at the Friendly Confines.

Adding more parking to the ballpark area was a goal of Cubs ownership in the part; at one point parking was part of the sold-called triangle building in an area on Clark now slated to be an open-air plaza. But building a parking ramp in Chicago is not a cheap proposition, especially one that won’t have much appeal apart from days featuring Cubs night games. And it’s well-known the Cubs front office doesn’t have much money to spend, despite being one of the most profitable team in MLB, per Forbes; with a debt load that exceeds MLB guidelines, the Ricketts family has proposed spending $300 million on Wrigley Field upgrades.

The two sides missed an April 1 deadline to make a deal, but talks continue.

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