CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) - Fans of the Chicago Fire soccer team are a big step closer to seeing the team at a new stadium in the city's South Loop.
Members of the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee gave preliminary approval on Tuesday to the Fire's pitch for a new home on the land along Roosevelt Road and the South Branch of the Chicago River known as "The 78."
Dave Baldwin from the Chicago Fire says team owner Joe Mansueto's plan to spend $750 million of his own money to build a 22,000-seat soccer and event stadium is an investment in the team and the city.
"We believe that sports has the ability to amaze, to unite and to inspire a city," Baldwin told the committee, "and we're excited to use our platform to bring together people of all different backgrounds."
The 78 is in the ward of South Loop alderwoman Pat Dowell, who told colleagues that the Fire and developer Related Midwest have been active partners in the community engagement around the project.
"Any time you have someone willing to step up to the plate for our city with their own money, that's something we should work with," said Dowell (3rd Ward).
Executives at Related laid out its vision for the plan during the hearing, including its use of the stadium to anchor an $8 billion project including retail spaces and as many as 5,000 condo and rental units. They estimated the project would create as many as 10,000 construction and support jobs, and 5,000 permanent jobs.
Before the vote, contractors including Alberto Rocha stepped up to urge aldermen to approve the plans, citing its boost for builders and for families living around the city.
"It's the opportunity it's gonna give to a contractor like myself ... to make it into an oasis," Rocha said. "Give the kids somewhere to go."
It's expected to receive final approval during Thursday's meeting of the full City Council.