“I am proud to speak today (June 13, 2026 Committee on Finance meeting) in support of ‘The 78’ project and the complete renewal of a vacant plot of land that has sat fallow, undeveloped, and unused for more than 60 years. Today represents the next step in what has been a laborious yet collaborative process of balancing the needs of the City, the 3rd Ward, community groups, and the developers.
This site presents a unique challenge in that it is completely isolated, yet sits directly at the center of the connection between the South Side and the rest of the City. It represents a real, physical obstruction that limits connectivity and investment on the South Side. This TIF request directly funds the infrastructure necessary to literally build up the site, tying the City together.
Let me be clear: no City money is going to the construction of the stadium. The TIF dollars requested will go solely toward the infrastructure necessary to make the site viable. This infrastructure includes new streets and utilities, reconstruction of the river wall for future connectivity, desperately needed improvements to Roosevelt and Clark Streets, pedestrian access to the south end of the site, safety improvements for Metra, and, most importantly, construction of a podium that will directly connect Roosevelt Road to ‘The 78’ at grade.
A lot has been said about the podium structure and the inclusion of a parking garage. I would like to take a moment to reemphasize the structure’s importance. The podium brings the site to grade at Roosevelt Road and is necessary regardless of what is ultimately constructed. It is the key to unlocking the site from the isolation that has stalled every previous development proposal. The parking garage is secondary. Its inclusion represents a productive use of space that would otherwise be occupied by dark, desolate alleyways of support columns beneath the structure. This is an innovative way to spur revenue generation for the City while making use of space beneath a necessary piece of infrastructure.
As for concerns about what will be included in future phases of development, including housing, retail, dining options, and public spaces, I hear those concerns. As I have done over the past year, I will continue to solicit input on future phases and work to ensure that community feedback helps shape this development.
Those future phases, however, are not possible without the truly massive infrastructure lift we are discussing today. I want to see affordable housing built on this site, and there are provisions for it. I want to see restaurants, hotels, and retail spur job creation, all of which are included in the future phasing. I want to see additional public transit options at what is already the most transit-friendly stadium in Chicago. All of these needs build on one another and are contingent on increasing density at the site. That density is not possible without the proper physical infrastructure.
While this is a major TIF investment that comes with major obligations, I think it is worth mentioning that this project has been forecasted for the past year, and while the numbers may have been adjusted, DPD has made it clear that this will not impact any other projects throughout the City. Porting, and putting our TIF dollars to use by developing, as they are intended, is the best way for us to strategically deploy our resources and is standard practice on these major projects. This Committee, in particular, has seen this in practice as over the past two years we have deployed the same strategy to dedicate over $290 Million in TIF funds, most of it ported, to the LaSalle St. Revitalization program. That program, ‘The 78’ and other projects like them require buy-in from us as a collective and not just simply acting possessive.
This project is one for the entire City, not just the South Loop, not just the 3rd Ward. It serves as a connector for the City, a driving force for future development, and a community for generations to come. This Committee has approved hundreds of millions of dollars for projects like this; projects focused on moving the City forward and addressing underdeveloped, underused, and abandoned areas, buildings, and projects in innovative ways. When the opportunity to advance transformational projects comes before us, it is like catching lightning in a bottle. We act quickly, invest in the necessary infrastructure, and reap the long-term benefits. It takes collaboration among all of us, and a willingness to set aside our sometimes-territorial nature as Alders, to see these developments through.
This is a truly exciting time for the 3rd Ward and for the City as a whole. We are, quite literally, raising a new community from barren land. ‘The 78’ and the Chicago Fire Stadium represent a significant investment and a testament to the belief in the future of the City of Chicago. This site will stand as a statement to the world about what this City and its people can accomplish when we strive for innovation and excellence.”