LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – At his introductory press conference last January, Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren stated that Arlington Park was the team's "sole focus" as it weighed its locations to build a new stadium. That priority has clearly changed.
As Warren and the Bears have been at odds with Arlington Heights over tax assessments for the 326-acre property they own in the northwest suburb, the team is exploring all options in play, including the prospect of staying put in Chicago.
"The priority is to make sure we build a world-class stadium for our fans," Warren said Wednesday at the Bears' season-ending press conference at Halas Hall. "So, we still own the property in Arlington Heights. We're still in communication with the individuals in Arlington Heights. We have had meetings with individuals in the city of Chicago. So, we're focused on, again, making sure you take the approach of doing the right things. We want to make sure that stadium is a 40-year decision, and we want to make sure we get that right and that we're very deliberate in our thought process.
"Fortunately, most of the issues that I deal with now, I've dealt with before. Anytime you build a stadium project, you have to make sure that you explore all of your options. So, it wasn't necessarily that big of a pivot.
"It's just making sure we keep our options open."
The Bears aren't operating with a specific timeline to make a decision on their new stadium, Warren said. The team is under lease to play at Soldier Field through 2023, though that lease can be broken by paying a fee that decreases with each passing year.
The Bears placed a bid on the property at Arlington Park in June 2021, then signed a $197.2-million purchase agreement in September 2021 before closing on their purchase this past February.
Last May, a settlement was reached between Churchill Downs Inc., the previous owner of Arlington Park, and three local school districts on a $95-million value for the property. Previously, the owner paid taxes based on a value of $33 million in 2021, according to reports. A key for the Bears is "seeking property tax certainty and support for infrastructure," the team previously said last year.
The Bears have since received interest from the city of Chicago, Naperville, Waukegan, Richton Park and Rockford.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
