DePaul, McPier discuss new stadium near McCormick Place
September 28, 2012
DePaul University is talking about moving its basketball games to a new facility that would be built for it near McCormick Place, in a deal being pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
That's what I hear from multiple inside sources, as discussions continue about DePaul's desire to return Blue Demons games to the city from where they're now played, in Rosemont — past O'Hare Airport, and many miles from the school's main Lincoln Park Campus.
Sources confirm that a Sun-Times story that the school also has been talking with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf about playing in the United Center and/or sharing a practice facility.
But more serious, I'm told, are the discussions with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns and operates McCormick Place.
Though the agency, known as McPier, is not now in the sporting business, it has more than $100 million in untapped bonding authority, funds that could be used to construct an area. And adequate land is available within walking distance of McCormick Place and its large parking lots.
Sources say Mr. Emanuel is behind the idea because much of the Near South Side near the convention center goes dark when a big convention is not running, which is most of the time. For instance, the area lacks many good restaurants, bars and shops.
As recently as earlier today, Mr. Emanuel emphasized a wide variety of infrastructure improvements in the Near South area, including one new Chicago Transit Authority station and significant renovations in another.
DePaul's board has formally stated its intention to bring the Blue Demons back to town. Sports sources say it might be easier for the team to recruit top talent if they play in Chicago rather than in the relatively isolated Allstate Arena.
DePaul has been looking at sites in the Clybourn Corridor and other locals near the North Branch of the Chicago River, on the west end of Lincoln Park. But all face significant potential access and congestion problems. And putting a large stadium near a residential neighborhood could create political difficulties.
Both DePaul and Mr. Emanuel's office were informed earlier this afternoon that I was working on a story about the McPier talks. Neither had immediate comment.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120928/BLOGS02/120929739?template=printart
Still not easy access from campus. Closer..yes...but
Quote from: Nukem2 on September 28, 2012, 04:31:52 PM
Still not easy access from campus. Closer..yes...but
It's not bad to the extent that the stadium would be relatively close to the existing Red Line.
It's bad to the extent that I don't want to walk down Cermak to the Red Line station after a 7:00 game. But that can be solved with a simple shuttle bus.
It would be good to the extent that they could put a Red Line station at the stadium between the Chinatown and Sox stations. If they ran N/S on the green-line tracks, it would only add a negligible amount of time to through-route passengers, and the City would only have to build a couple blocks E/W in two places (as opposed to routing a whole new line). That way, students have direct access from campus, the existing Red Line stops aren't changed, and the teamsters get a fat contract. Everybody wins.
Is this much better than the Rosemont Horizon (or whatever they call that dump these days)??? I guess it's a bit closer, but still far removed from the campus. Is there any possible way they could expand Alumni Hall? I'm not talking about making it an 18,000 arena...but perhaps make it a 6,000 or 7,000 seat facility?
If so, you could play the bulk of your schedule there...and your "marquee" games at the UC.
Quote from: Groin_pull on September 28, 2012, 05:25:10 PM
Is this much better than the Rosemont Horizon (or whatever they call that dump these days)??? I guess it's a bit closer, but still far removed from the campus. Is there any possible way they could expand Alumni Hall? I'm not talking about making it an 18,000 arena...but perhaps make it a 6,000 or 7,000 seat facility?
If so, you could play the bulk of your schedule there...and your "marquee" games at the UC.
No it probably wouldn't work, parking is a huge issue in Chicago, especially near DePaul. I'm still a fan of building it in the Clybourn corridor, but I could see this option working well.
the Mayor has proposed building a Green Line station at Cermak,
http://depaul.scout.com/2/1226114.html
Quote from: Groin_pull on September 28, 2012, 05:25:10 PM
Is this much better than the Rosemont Horizon (or whatever they call that dump these days)??? I guess it's a bit closer, but still far removed from the campus.
It's half as far from the Lincoln Park Campus as Allstate Arena, and it sounds like it'll be accessible via the Green Line. It's only two and a half miles away from the school's Loop Campus. And it's actually IN the city, where like, a lot of people live, as opposed to right near the airport, where like, not as many people live.
QuoteIs there any possible way they could expand Alumni Hall? I'm not talking about making it an 18,000 arena...but perhaps make it a 6,000 or 7,000 seat facility?
Alumni Hall was torn down years ago to make room for the new Student Center:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/StudentCenterDePaul.jpg)
Quote from: mr.MUskie on September 28, 2012, 04:26:15 PM
DePaul, McPier discuss new stadium near McCormick Place
September 28, 2012
DePaul University is talking about moving its basketball games to a new facility that would be built for it near McCormick Place, in a deal being pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
That's what I hear from multiple inside sources, as discussions continue about DePaul's desire to return Blue Demons games to the city from where they're now played, in Rosemont — past O'Hare Airport, and many miles from the school's main Lincoln Park Campus.
Sources confirm that a Sun-Times story that the school also has been talking with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf about playing in the United Center and/or sharing a practice facility.
But more serious, I'm told, are the discussions with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns and operates McCormick Place.
Though the agency, known as McPier, is not now in the sporting business, it has more than $100 million in untapped bonding authority, funds that could be used to construct an area. And adequate land is available within walking distance of McCormick Place and its large parking lots.
Sources say Mr. Emanuel is behind the idea because much of the Near South Side near the convention center goes dark when a big convention is not running, which is most of the time. For instance, the area lacks many good restaurants, bars and shops.
As recently as earlier today, Mr. Emanuel emphasized a wide variety of infrastructure improvements in the Near South area, including one new Chicago Transit Authority station and significant renovations in another.
DePaul's board has formally stated its intention to bring the Blue Demons back to town. Sports sources say it might be easier for the team to recruit top talent if they play in Chicago rather than in the relatively isolated Allstate Arena.
DePaul has been looking at sites in the Clybourn Corridor and other locals near the North Branch of the Chicago River, on the west end of Lincoln Park. But all face significant potential access and congestion problems. And putting a large stadium near a residential neighborhood could create political difficulties.
Both DePaul and Mr. Emanuel's office were informed earlier this afternoon that I was working on a story about the McPier talks. Neither had immediate comment.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120928/BLOGS02/120929739?template=printart
In Illinois, a state being relentlessly driven into bankruptcy by its elected officials, a governmental entity having more than $100 million in untapped bonding authority is considered a mortal sin. So, I've got to believe that this will happen.
Quote from: chr31ter on September 28, 2012, 10:51:19 PM
Alumni Hall was torn down years ago to make room for the new Student Center:
DePaul women now play at the Sullivan Center, which more-or-less has taken on the roles of the old Alumni Hall. The Sullivan Center seats about 3,000.
Rahm weighs in:
Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants DePaul University's men's basketball team back playing its games in Chicago, but he's not publicly stating his preference on where that should happen.
Asked about reports the Blue Demons are considering either building a new arena around the Motor Row area near McCormick Place in the South Loop or becoming a tenant at the West Side United Center, Emanuel only said he wants to figure out how to get them back into Chicago after decades playing in Rosemont.
"DePaul for years has been talking about a stadium in Chicago that's better for their basketball team, better for their fans and better to be close to home," Emanuel said at a news conference about trade shows at McCormick Place. "It is in our interest as a city that they choose Chicago. And so we're going to work together to look at Chicago being a home for DePaul's Blue Demons. It will be a win for DePaul and a win for the city of Chicago."
Pressed about where specifically he would like to see them tip off, Emanuel said "That ultimately is up to them, but I want them to pick Chicago."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-emanuel-wants-depaul-playing-basketball-back-in-chicago-20121001,0,112555.story
It seems the talk amongst DePaul alums downtown today is that the UC is the favorite for next year, but it would only be temporary until a permanent option within the city is found/built. Granted this is coming from only 2 alums, but I think those two account for 40% of DePaul alums who care about basketball.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0929-depaul-united-center--20120929,0,7457194.story
Quote from: Benny B on October 01, 2012, 02:30:31 PM
Granted this is coming from only 2 alums, but I think those two account for 40% of DePaul alums who care about basketball.
I know this is forever ago, but as a son of DePaul alumni, I remember going to games as a kid when the Rosemont Horizon was rocking. The team had the 10th highest attendance in the nation 1985, and consistently drew big crowds throughout most of the 80's, which is impressive considering Chicago doesn't particularly care about collegiate athletics. Some, though not many, of those fans still exist.
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attendanceYBYtop25.pdf
They need to be within walking distance of the campus. They talked about sites much closer a few months ago. McCormack place would be awful as far as getting there from the North.
This is no better than the Horizon.
DePaul has needed an 8,000-seat on-campus arena for years and still does. It could play most of its games there and, if it ever gets good and can draw fans, could play really big games at the U.C.
Quote from: Benny B on October 01, 2012, 02:30:31 PM
It seems the talk amongst DePaul alums downtown today is that the UC is the favorite for next year, but it would only be temporary until a permanent option within the city is found/built. Granted this is coming from only 2 alums, but I think those two account for 40% of DePaul alums who care about basketball.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0929-depaul-united-center--20120929,0,7457194.story
DePaul averaged 7,700 fans at home games last year. That is going to look pathetic in the UC.
Down near McCormick? Oh God that blows. Has anyone been down there, or tried to go from downtown to McCormick? Worse yet, how about traveling in from the 'burbs to McCormick on a weeknight? Good lord that will be horrific. Rosemont is a dump, but at least you can get there. Why would you build another stadium that's, technically, closer to campus than Rosemont, but gives you just as much, if not more, problems?
Location location location.
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on October 02, 2012, 07:48:15 AM
Down near McCormick? Oh God that blows. Has anyone been down there, or tried to go from downtown to McCormick? Worse yet, how about traveling in from the 'burbs to McCormick on a weeknight? Good lord that will be horrific. Rosemont is a dump, but at least you can get there. Why would you build another stadium that's, technically, closer to campus than Rosemont, but gives you just as much, if not more, problems?
Location location location.
Except there is no easy way to get from downtown to Rosemont. If there was an EL stop there it would work, but there is not. The only really easy thing would be to play at the UC but as mentioned above, would look crazy. But hey, St. Johns plays at the Garden with an average of 8,400 so maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on October 02, 2012, 07:48:15 AM
Down near McCormick? Oh God that blows. Has anyone been down there, or tried to go from downtown to McCormick? Worse yet, how about traveling in from the 'burbs to McCormick on a weeknight? Good lord that will be horrific. Rosemont is a dump, but at least you can get there. Why would you build another stadium that's, technically, closer to campus than Rosemont, but gives you just as much, if not more, problems?
Location location location.
That's why they need to swing the Red Line over to the stadium site @ McCormick to make it work for the students. For alums driving in from the 'burbs, McCormick isn't any less accessible than Wrigley, Comiskey or the UFO crash site, and fans driving in on weeknights for those games seem to manage just fine.
Quote from: Chili on October 02, 2012, 08:12:21 AM
Except there is no easy way to get from downtown to Rosemont. If there was an EL stop there it would work, but there is not. The only really easy thing would be to play at the UC but as mentioned above, would look crazy. But hey, St. Johns plays at the Garden with an average of 8,400 so maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
Actually, there is a Blue Line stop in Rosemont (and O'Hare), but it's a pretty loonnng walk from there to the arena, especially in January or February. The school could run shuttles, though.
Quote from: Pakuni on October 02, 2012, 10:21:48 AM
Actually, there is a Blue Line stop in Rosemont (and O'Hare), but it's a pretty loonnng walk from there to the arena, especially in January or February. The school could run shuttles, though.
From DePaul, you'd have to start by taking the red line downtown to transfer to the blue line, though, I think.
Quote from: LittleMurs on October 02, 2012, 10:28:55 AM
From DePaul, you'd have to start by taking the red line downtown to transfer to the blue line, though, I think.
True.
But I was responding to a remark about getting from downtown to Rosemont.
Quote from: warriorchick on October 02, 2012, 07:40:45 AM
DePaul averaged 7,700 fans at home games last year. That is going to look pathetic in the UC.
Depaul could put up a big black curtain in front of the upper deck like the Minnesota Lynx did at the Target Center to make it look more 'intimate'.
Quote from: Benny B on October 02, 2012, 09:42:43 AM
That's why they need to swing the Red Line over to the stadium site @ McCormick to make it work for the students. For alums driving in from the 'burbs, McCormick isn't any less accessible than Wrigley, Comiskey or the UFO crash site, and fans driving in on weeknights for those games seem to manage just fine.
Yeah, but to go through that hassle to watch DePaul basketball.........
QuoteI know this is forever ago, but as a son of DePaul alumni, I remember going to games as a kid when the Rosemont Horizon was rocking. The team had the 10th highest attendance in the nation 1985, and consistently drew big crowds throughout most of the 80's, which is impressive considering Chicago doesn't particularly care about collegiate athletics. Some, though not many, of those fans still exist.
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attendanceYBYtop25.pdf
Chicago is big on college athletics. It's a huge Big 10 town with sizeable alumni bases from Notre Dame, Notre Dame, SLU, and even several Big 12 and SEC Schools. It's just not big on college athletics for the schools physically within the city limits, and when your only D1 options are DePaul, Loyola, and Chicago State, you can see why.
Quote from: Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup on October 02, 2012, 09:30:25 PM
Chicago is big on college athletics. It's a huge Big 10 town with sizeable alumni bases from Notre Dame, Notre Dame, SLU, and even several Big 12 and SEC Schools. It's just not big on college athletics for the schools physically within the city limits, and when your only D1 options are DePaul, Loyola, and Chicago State, you can see why.
ND sucks. Did i mention ND sucks. Nothin worse than a south side subway alum whatever pullin' for "gods team". Morons.
Quote from: warriorchick on October 02, 2012, 07:37:31 PM
Yeah, but to go through that hassle to watch DePaul basketball.........
They go through it to watch the Cubs, don't they?
If this goes down, they might as well be the McDemons.
Quote from: Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup on October 02, 2012, 09:30:25 PM
Chicago is big on college athletics. It's a huge Big 10 town with sizeable alumni bases from Notre Dame, Notre Dame, SLU, and even several Big 12 and SEC Schools. It's just not big on college athletics for the schools physically within the city limits, and when your only D1 options are DePaul, Loyola, and Chicago State, you can see why.
I disagree.
* Chicago does a poor job of supporting NU football, which is not that bad anymore.
* When Illinois football plays in the area (like in Wrigley) they get bodies but it is hardly a big event. The winter classic hockey game was a bigger deal at Wrigley (as was Springsteen at Wrigley last month).
* How excited are Chicagoans about this coming weekend's game between ND/The U (Miami) in Soldier's field? Ask the average Chicagoan what big sporting even is happening this coming weekend in Chicago and you probably hear more say the Marathon (Sunday) over this game.
* In past Novembers the United Center has hosted various early season basketball match-ups/tourneys bringing in some top teams. Attendance was terrible and they no longer do it. Ditto Illinois when they play at the UC.
---
Chicago is the third largest city in the country so yes they have plenty of Alumni from many large schools. But these alumni sell-out the Bulls and the Cubs. These alumni obsess about the bears. They may care about their Alma Mater's teams but they do not go to top quality college sporting events in the metropolitan area.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on October 03, 2012, 06:29:48 AM
I disagree.
* Chicago does a poor job of supporting NU football, which is not that bad anymore.
* When Illinois football plays in the area (like in Wrigley) they get bodies but it is hardly a big event. The winter classic hockey game was a bigger deal at Wrigley (as was Springsteen at Wrigley last month).
* How excited are Chicagoans about this coming weekend's game between ND/The U (Miami) in Soldier's field? Ask the average Chicagoan what big sporting even is happening this coming weekend in Chicago and you probably hear more say the Marathon (Sunday) over this game.
* In past Novembers the United Center has hosted various early season basketball match-ups/tourneys bringing in some top teams. Attendance was terrible and they no longer do it. Ditto Illinois when they play at the UC.
---
Chicago is the third largest city in the country so yes they have plenty of Alumni from many large schools. But these alumni sell-out the Bulls and the Cubs. These alumni obsess about the bears. They may care about their Alma Mater's teams but they do not go to top quality college sporting events in the metropolitan area.
Well, in all fairness, Chicago hardly is alone in that alumni from one school don't flock to see other schools play. Would a mid-November Duke-Minnesota game pack the Bradley Center?
That said, the ND-Miami game at Soldier Field is sold out and tickets are going for as much as $4,500 at StubHub. So obviously there's
some interest.
And last year, a crappy Illinois team drew 15K+ to the UC for a game against a non-marquee opponent, UNLV.
Quote from: Pakuni on October 03, 2012, 10:41:04 AM
And last year, a crappy Illinois team drew 15K+ to the UC for a game against a non-marquee opponent, UNLV.
Illinois was ranked 19th at the time, and still a quarter of the UC empty.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on October 03, 2012, 06:29:48 AM
I disagree.
* How excited are Chicagoans about this coming weekend's game between ND/The U (Miami) in Soldier's field? Ask the average Chicagoan what big sporting even is happening this coming weekend in Chicago and you probably hear more say the Marathon (Sunday) over this game.
Actually I believe the ND game is sold out. I was rideing the train the other day and there were a few non- ND fans looking for tickets.
a
Chicago is the third largest city in the country so yes they have plenty of Alumni from many large schools. But these alumni sell-out the Bulls and the Cubs. These alumni obsess about the bears. They may care about their Alma Mater's teams but they do not go to top quality college sporting events in the metropolitan area.
Quote from: WI_inferiority_complexes on October 03, 2012, 11:08:13 AM
Illinois was ranked 19th at the time, and still a quarter of the UC empty.
15K is better than MU does in their own building most nights.
MU played 16 home games last year. Topped 15K in only five of them.
Quote from: Pakuni on October 03, 2012, 11:30:39 AM
15K is better than MU does in their own building most nights.
MU played 16 home games last year. Topped 15K in only five of them.
Yeah, but Chicago has 5 times the population in their metropolitan area to draw from. And there are probably 10 times more U of I alums in Chicagoland than Marquette alums in Milwaukee.
Quote from: warriorchick on October 03, 2012, 01:07:53 PM
Yeah, but Chicago has 5 times the population in their metropolitan area to draw from. And there are probably 10 times more U of I alums in Chicagoland than Marquette alums in Milwaukee.
And there are about 8,300 more Marquette undergrads in Milwaukee than Illinois undergrads in Chicago.
Really not sure what your point is. If you think Illinois drawing more than 15,000 fans away from home against a non-marquee opponent is poor, so be it. I suspect Marquette would kill for that kind of attendance against UNLV in Chicago.
Quote from: Pakuni on October 03, 2012, 01:18:16 PM
And there are about 8,300 more Marquette undergrads in Milwaukee than Illinois undergrads in Chicago.
Really not sure what your point is. If you think Illinois drawing more than 15,000 fans away from home against a non-marquee opponent is poor, so be it. I suspect Marquette would kill for that kind of attendance against UNLV in Chicago.
My point is that Illinois SHOULD do better attendance-wise in Chicago than Marquette does in Milwaukee - it has a much larger base to draw from.
Quote from: warriorchick on October 03, 2012, 02:27:52 PM
My point is that Illinois SHOULD do better attendance-wise in Chicago than Marquette does in Milwaukee - it has a much larger base to draw from.
Fact is, most student and alumni of any school are, at best, very casual fans of its sports teams. Take MU, for example. It has about 8,400 undergrads. About 1/3 of them will buy season tickets to the basketball games. Why do you believe any of the other 2/3s - at MU or any other school - are going to run out to see the team 15-20 years after they graduate? If anything, they'll be less likely to do so.
People like us are very much the exception.
Quote from: Pakuni on October 03, 2012, 02:41:43 PM
People like us are very much the exception.
Yes, indeed. Scoopers are nothing if not exceptional!
Quote from: Pakuni on October 03, 2012, 10:41:04 AM
Well, in all fairness, Chicago hardly is alone in that alumni from one school don't flock to see other schools play. Would a mid-November Duke-Minnesota game pack the Bradley Center?
That said, the ND-Miami game at Soldier Field is sold out and tickets are going for as much as $4,500 at StubHub. So obviously there's some interest.
And last year, a crappy Illinois team drew 15K+ to the UC for a game against a non-marquee opponent, UNLV.
$4,500 to watch ND/Miami??? :o That's about $ 4,495 more than I'd be willing to pay.
As far as this DePaul story, where is Chicago going to find the money for this? They're swimming in debt. Can't see taxpayers agreeing to put one dollar towards this project...especially when the UC is available.
Quote from: Groin_pull on October 03, 2012, 05:10:25 PM
As far as this DePaul story, where is Chicago going to find the money for this? They're swimming in debt. Can't see taxpayers agreeing to put one dollar towards this project...especially when the UC is available.
I remember when I was that pragmatic. Then I moved to Illinois and realized that pragmatic and naive mean the same thing here.
Quote from: Groin_pull on October 03, 2012, 05:10:25 PM
As far as this DePaul story, where is Chicago going to find the money for this? They're swimming in debt. Can't see taxpayers agreeing to put one dollar towards this project...especially when the UC is available.
It is called available bond cap money already set aside for the failed Summer Olympics by a separate taxing body than the near bankrupt city or state. Spend, baby, spend.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on October 03, 2012, 09:15:39 PM
It is called available bond cap money already set aside for the failed Summer Olympics by a separate taxing body than the near bankrupt city or state. Spend, baby, spend.
I'm sure there's some more infrastructure they can "lease" out beyond parking and the Skyway, too.
Quote from: Benny B on October 02, 2012, 10:04:32 PM
They go through it to watch the Cubs, don't they?
Worth pointing out that Addison stop on the Red Line is half a block from Wrigley Field.
If this new CTA stop is to be built on the Green Line at 26th street, (assuming that the arena is built on the land where there is parking lots and high-rises south of McCormick Place that were going to be the Olympic Village), the arena will still be nearly a mile from the L station.
DePaul would never fill the United Center without massive tarping. It would be Seton Hall Part II. They need to build on the Finkl Steel site or the Morton Salt sites that were proposed earlier this year.
Quote from: warriorchick on October 02, 2012, 07:37:31 PM
Yeah, but to go through that hassle to watch DePaul basketball.........
No kidding. I have Bears season tickets and the worst part of the Bears (other than Lovie Smith) is getting to the stadium from about anywhere.
Now you're doing to basketball fans what you've done to Bear fans? No thank you Rahmfather!
The reality is that if you give an Illinois politician a $100 million kitty, chances are he or she will waist it on something stupid that nobody wants or needs. Exhibit A is the Rosemont Horizon. It's a terrible place to watch anything. Maybe an old 747 can fly over on a low approach and make the roof cave in again! Exhibit B will be another arena that's too far from anywhere, inconvenient for DePaul students and not conducive to on-campus basketball.
Everyone has talked about Red Line service to IIT 35th or to Roosevelt. Do you people really want a large number of college co-eds riding that train and walking through some of those neighborhoods after a late night basketball game. If you do, take a good look at the murder rate in Chicago this year. Q: What do you call DePaul Basketball fans? A: Targets!!!!+
How many of those murders occurred on the train?
Quote from: Benny B on October 04, 2012, 01:59:27 PM
How many of those murders occurred on the train?
Chicago has the highest murder rate in the entire world. Crime is an issue everywhere in the city, even on the trains.
Having DePaul co-eds wandering through high crime neighborhoods late at night after a basketball should be a concern of DePaul when considering this proposal.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on October 04, 2012, 02:46:58 PM
Chicago has the highest murder rate in the entire world. Crime is an issue everywhere in the city, even on the trains.
Having DePaul co-eds wandering through high crime neighborhoods late at night after a basketball should be a concern of DePaul when considering this proposal.
They don't have to wander anywhere if you swing the the Red Line over to the stadium site. Fans of the Sox, Cubs and commuters obviously have no problem taking the Red Line, why should DePaul students?
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on October 04, 2012, 02:46:58 PM
Chicago has the highest murder rate in the entire world.
Yea, no. Not even the country http://www.npr.org/2012/07/05/155986277/new-orleans-struggles-with-murder-rate-and-trust (http://www.npr.org/2012/07/05/155986277/new-orleans-struggles-with-murder-rate-and-trust)
Not even top 3. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-10/new-orleans-murder-rate-climbs-as-city-begins-overhaul-of-police.html (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-10/new-orleans-murder-rate-climbs-as-city-begins-overhaul-of-police.html)
Quote from: dgies9156 on October 04, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Q: What do you call DePaul Basketball fans? A: Targets!!!!+
Victims.
Quote from: Benny B on October 04, 2012, 02:57:51 PM
They don't have to wander anywhere if you swing the the Red Line over to the stadium site. Fans of the Sox, Cubs and commuters obviously have no problem taking the Red Line, why should DePaul students?
Worth pointing out that an L line isn't like a slip-n-slide that you can just pick up and drop wherever. "Swinging the red line over" towards McCormick Place would cost millions of completely unnecessary dollars.
Cubs fans, Sox fans (and yes, even DePaul students) don't mind taking the Red Line because it drops you off half a block from Wrigley, Sox Park, and both of DePaul's city campuses. Meanwhile, the closest Red Line stop to McCormick Place is Chinatown-Cermak, and it's a solid 15-minute, mile-long walk to McCormick Place. That's not gonna fly on a Tuesday night in January.
Quote from: Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup on October 04, 2012, 09:35:01 PM
Worth pointing out that an L line isn't like a slip-n-slide that you can just pick up and drop wherever. "Swinging the red line over" towards McCormick Place would cost millions of completely unnecessary dollars.
Cubs fans, Sox fans (and yes, even DePaul students) don't mind taking the Red Line because it drops you off half a block from Wrigley, Sox Park, and both of DePaul's city campuses. Meanwhile, the closest Red Line stop to McCormick Place is Chinatown-Cermak, and it's a solid 15-minute, mile-long walk to McCormick Place. That's not gonna fly on a Tuesday night in January.
Or maybe Roosevelt or IIT 35th Street. Cold and for boding. Depaul students = targets and victims.
It would be at least $300 million to extend the Red Line to McCormick/Soldier Field. And for what? So some friend of a Chicago politician gets rich off graft? So some construction tradesmen get jobs? Or so Depaul gets a more convenient basketball arena. All make sense only in the convoluted world of Chicago politics.
Quote from: Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup on October 04, 2012, 09:35:01 PM
Worth pointing out that an L line isn't like a slip-n-slide that you can just pick up and drop wherever. "Swinging the red line over" towards McCormick Place would cost millions of completely unnecessary dollars.
Cubs fans, Sox fans (and yes, even DePaul students) don't mind taking the Red Line because it drops you off half a block from Wrigley, Sox Park, and both of DePaul's city campuses. Meanwhile, the closest Red Line stop to McCormick Place is Chinatown-Cermak, and it's a solid 15-minute, mile-long walk to McCormick Place. That's not gonna fly on a Tuesday night in January.
Really, that's just a very small percentage of the 5.7 billion dollars estimated to be necessary to make DePaul basketball a top program again.
Quote from: dgies9156 on October 04, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Everyone has talked about Red Line service to IIT 35th or to Roosevelt.
I think what the city is proposing is something closer to the new Green Line station being built between Cermak and 23rd.
There's former CHA land a block to the west--which is where I would guess the arena would go.
Quote from: The Equalizer on October 05, 2012, 11:38:20 AM
I think what the city is proposing is something closer to the new Green Line station being built between Cermak and 23rd.
There's former CHA land a block to the west--which is where I would guess the arena would go.
Cermak and 23rd Streets. That's the first neighborhood I think of when I want to go walking alone late at night.
It's improving but you're still rolling the dice.
I'm sure the neighbors will be excited about a basketball arena next to Tommy Gun's Restaurant and Club.
Folks, if DePaul is going to play in the City, why not have them play at UIC. It's the right size -- about 10,000 persons -- and it's right off the EL tracks and the Eisenhower Expressway. It's also right near the JFK and DRE for easy access. But wait, there's no graft and no more indebtedness for Illinois if we do that. Of course it will never happen then!
Quote from: dgies9156 on October 04, 2012, 10:22:47 PM
It would be at least $300 million to extend the Red Line to McCormick/Soldier Field. And for what? So some friend of a Chicago politician gets rich off graft? So some construction tradesmen get jobs? Or so Depaul gets a more convenient basketball arena. All make sense only in the convoluted world of Chicago politics.
I see I'm not the only one here who understands how Chicago works. It's amazing how many lifelong and multi-generational residents are completely blind to this reality and those who aren't are mostly apathetic to the whole thing.
Quote from: Benny B on October 06, 2012, 08:43:35 AM
I see I'm not the only one here who understands how Chicago works. It's amazing how many lifelong and multi-generational residents are completely blind to this reality and those who aren't are mostly apathetic to the whole thing.
They need to watch Boss on Starz
A little more. Nothing new though.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/15683133-418/mayor-supports-bulls-practice-facility-depaul-basketball-arena-under-one-roof.html