Approved: Cubs Get Green Light on Downsized Video Board, Outfield Signs

The Chicago Landmarks Commission voted unanimously in favor of the Chicago Cubs proposed Jumbotron and outfield signs Thursday evening, but not before shaving off about 2,000-square-feet of signage.

After outcry from some neighbors and Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the Cubs came Thursday with a new proposal: a 4,560-square-foot video board with a neon sign on top, as well as a 650-square-foot neon sign in right field.

That's compared to the team's original proposal for a 6,000-square-foot video board and 1,000-square-foot sign in right field. The revised proposal approved by the Landmarks Commission totals roughly 5,500-square-feet of new signs in the outfield.  

The new outfield advertisements makes up for more than 30 percent of the new signage planned for the historic Wrigley Field, from the massive video board to small signs at ticket booths.

Even still, Tunney said he speaks for his constituents when saying he could not support the plan.

"I’m disappointed to be testifying before you unable to fully support the signage," Tunney said to the commission, his voice shaking. "...I can’t support a proposal that so dramatically affects the quality of life of the residents."

Both residents and business owners in favor and opposed spoke at the meeting, giving testimonials as to why the board would help or hinder the experience at Wrigley.

"I don’t understand this. Wrigley field has been there for years and, but now people don’t want this, they don’t want that, they don’t want the Jumbotron," said resident Mike Jackson. "I don’t understand it. I believe this renovation needs to be done."
    
The decision comes after a meeting on June 27 when the commission voted unanimously in favor the Cubs master plan for 45,000 square feet of “new or existing” signs at Wrigley Field. 

Just before that meeting, Tunney wrote a letter to the team saying he wanted the Jumbotron to be reduced to 3,500-square-feet and the right-field sign to be reduced to 600-square-feet. The letter pushed back the commission's decision by two weeks to further discuss the size. 

During that meeting the Landmarks Commission also unanimously voted in favor to push back the outfield walls onto the public right-of-way, and expand the bar area where the Captain Morgan Club currently sits, among other things. They did not, however, discuss the outfield signs. 

The entire planned development must still be approved by City Council.