The recent Super Bowl is a good reminder that billionaires have found another way to steal money from the public: sports stadiums. And if we don't “play ball” they will move our favorite team to a new location and take it away. (See the Chicago Bears' recent activities.)
A good example is the talk of building a new Sox stadium on vacant land that is part of “The 78” development at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street.
The new Sox Park (now known as Guaranteed Rate Field) opened in 1991. The Sox owners had threatened to leave Chicago unless they got taxpayer help to build a new stadium. The threat worked, and taxpayers are still paying a $430 million bill for the park and its overhaul of Soldier Field, which was designed to be a gross insult to baseball fans when it first opened.
Now, Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has floated plans to build a new stadium, even though the current arena is fully functional. And, as expected, Reinsdorf, like other team owners, is a big fan of new stadiums, even though numerous studies have shown that the benefits of new stadiums are primarily realized only by team owners. He will try to sell his project by claiming that the stadium will promote economic growth.
The new field will generate $9 billion in investment, $4 billion in annual economic impact, and $200 million in annual tax revenue, according to the developer's unsubstantiated economic impact estimates.
Plans call for the park to attract 5 million visitors a year, nearly triple last year's Sox attendance, and 1,300 new homes, including affordable housing. is expected to be added. Plans also indicate a soccer field would be built within the Sox's current park. oh!
Perhaps we should all take a moment to listen to Allen Sanderson, a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago who studies sports economics. He said he was skeptical that new sports venues, including the new White Sox stadium downtown, could generate billions of dollars in new investment on their own. Sanderson said it would be more realistic to expect only about 10% of the promised economic benefits.
So, once again, a millionaire owner's pipe dream is being sold to an unsuspecting public. Of course, public funds will be needed this time as well. When are you going to learn your lesson?
— Bob Chimis, Elmwood Park
Indianapolis is a sports city
A Feb. 14 editorial discusses what Chicago needs to do to compete with Las Vegas in major sporting events (“Las Vegas is chomping on Chicago's sports lunch. What can it do?'' ”).
Seems to me it can't even compete with neighboring Indianapolis. The city hosted the 2012 Super Bowl and his 2007 AFC Championship Game (in his retractable dome stadium), in addition to the iconic Indy 500. It is home to the NFL Combine and has hosted the NCAA and Big Ten men's basketball championship games, the National Invitational Tournament, the Big Ten Football Championship Game, and more.
Meanwhile, debate continues over which taxpayer-funded venues will host the Bears and White Sox next time.
— Mike Sheehan, Oswego, Illinois
Are pigeons beautiful? I disagree.
As someone who lives near Wabash Avenue in the Loop and constantly avoids flying pigeons and their droppings, I have to take exception to the pigeons recently described as beautiful birds in the Tribune ( “Love for 'Underbird'”, February 12).
I think the concierge from the movie “The Producers'' best describes them. “He is on the roof with the body. He keeps the void. A body that is dirty, disgusting, filthy, and infested with lice. It used to sit hunched over like a human. I was able to do it. No more! No! Boyz!”
— David Grossman, Chicago
Re-entry support for former prisoners
Regarding Paul Vallas' op-ed, “True criminal justice reform would be vocational training programs” (February 14): Having worked in correctional facilities for decades, first as a layperson and then as an ordained minister, I've seen two more formats. Rehabilitation that greatly increases a citizen's chances of success when returning to the community. The first is to join a non-denominational congregation while incarcerated. The second is working with post-release re-entry volunteers. Both significantly reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Helpful relationships are formed while assistance is provided in finding housing, transportation, employment, and general support. These faith-based ecumenical organizations are not a replacement for job training, but may complement current programs that help people succeed after release. Prison Congregations of America, a nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, helps start up internal congregations and re-enter external teams.
— Rev. Paul E. Stone, Eagle Grove, Iowa
she never missed a day
We've read some of the letters that have been published expressing gratitude to newspaper carriers, and we'd like to add our own. We've been grateful to Rosemary Mitchell for having her Daily Tribune delivered to our door every morning for over 20 years. If the weather is bad, the paper is always wrapped in a plastic sleeve. Even during the recent snowstorm and constant rain, she never missed a day.we her her girlfriend big Shout out to her!
— Danealle and Jeff Kueltzo, Oak Lawn
Excellent delivery in Northern Wisconsin
I would also like to thank our local delivery driver, Armando Arellano.
I moved from Chicago to Portage, Indiana seven years ago. My family grew up subscribing to the Tribune all their lives. I continued when I left the house.
Needless to say, I was very happy to find out that I could have my newspaper delivered here in northwest Indiana.
Armando was exceptional no matter the weather! I'm 75 years old now, and he noticed the newspaper right outside his front door. This is a thoughtful gesture in these times, and I truly appreciate it.
I will continue to be a fan of the paper version for as long as I can. Thank you, Armando!
— Kathy Maratto, Portage, Indiana
I'm looking forward to getting the newspaper
Every morning, when I open the blinds and look out the window, I notice a plastic-wrapped copy of the Chicago Tribune sitting on the porch right in front of my front door. I'm retired and in my mid-80s, and I enjoy just opening the door and reaching for the newspaper. My delivery man, Ernesto Delgado, has delivered newspapers on time and with great care for years, regardless of the weather.
My typical morning begins with a cup of coffee and a pleasant read of the Chicago Tribune. Although we have never met, I would like to thank Ernesto for his work ethic and dedication to those of us who will benefit from his efforts. Thank you, Ernesto. I appreciate you more than you know.
— Carol A. Slavens, Evanston
Start your day with the tribune
We would like to sincerely thank James Corbett for faithfully and efficiently delivering the print edition of the Chicago Tribune 24/7. Generations of the Lambin family have subscribed to the Tribune for about 75 years or more. We start our day with a tribune and our first cup of coffee. Thank you, James, for your consistent and reliable response.
— Helen and Rosemary Rambin, Chicago
Challenging work that must be done every day
Whenever I look for paper, it's there. I know how difficult it is to wake up early seven days a week to bundle, load, and deliver paper. My wife and kids did it for several years. Thank you, Nicole Salazar, for all your hard work!
— Eugene A. Pigozzo, Oak Lawn
