Many of you have seen and commented on the changes under way at Soldier Field. If you have flown overhead, driven by on Lake Shore Drive or visited the Museum Campus, you have seen the tremendous progress the construction team is making.
I’m pleased to report the project is 20 percent complete and it is on time and on budget. By late September 2003, Illinois will be the proud new home of one of the world’s best stadiums. In the meantime, I thank those of you who have been inconvenienced by the project for your patience and understanding. The short-term sacrifices will be well worth the long-term benefits.
So far, demolition and asbestos abatement are complete, the 287 foundation pilings for the new stadium and underground garage have been placed, and erection of the steel structure for the new stadium is well under way. By August the steel frame is expected to be complete.
The Soldier Field project is exceeding the project’s stated goals of 25 percent of eligible contracts for minority-owned business and 5 percent for women-owned businesses. The new stadium will showcase the colonnades in intriguing new ways. For the first time, the colonnades will be accessible and part of the public park. On non-game days, they will be an extension of the surrounding new 17-acre park. A sloped promenade from the Field Museum to the stadium’s north end will enable visitors to the Museum Campus and McCormick Place to walk up to the colonnades. From there, patrons will be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the lakefront, Museum Campus and Chicago’s skyline.
