(670 The Score) As they continue their pursuit of a new stadium, the Bears are now considering the Michael Reese hospital site in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side, Crain's Chicago Business reported Tuesday.
The 49-acre property was initially ruled out by the Bears due to its smaller size but is now being reconsidered as an option. The Bears' pivot comes after their failure to land public funding from the state of Illinois for the organization's proposal for a new $4.7-billion stadium project on the property just south of Soldier Field.
The Bears have faced significant hurdles in their search for a new stadium site, which began in September 2021 with a successful bid on the 326-acre Arlington Park property in suburban Arlington Heights. The franchise still owns that land, which was purchased for $197.2 million.
In early 2024, the Bears shifted their stadium focus from Arlington Park back to the city of Chicago after encountering complications in property tax negotiations with three local school districts in Arlington Heights.
Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren previously referred to the property south of Solider Field as the team's "sole focus" for a new stadium site. Those plans have changed once again with the possibility of the Michael Reese Hospital site now becoming an option.
The Michael Reese Hospital closed in 2009. The property is adjacent to Lake Shore Drive and south of the Stevenson Expressway's merging point along the lakefront.
The Bears haven't publicly commented on this latest development in their stadium pursuit.