The Bears Embrace Burnham’s Spirit In Chicago Lakefront Stadium Proposal

After Chicago burned to the ground in 1871 it was architect Daniel Burnham who said, concerning rebuilding the City, "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remember that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency." The Chicago Bears are embracing Burnham's words in their new plan to redevelop the lakefront around Soldier Field.

Burnham's influence in Chicago can't be underestimated. It's why Chicago is laid out on a grid. It's why much of Chicago's lakefront is public land available for the public's use. Even today, urban planners look at Burnham's thoughts on city planning, along with his plan for Chicago, when trying to figure out where Chicago as a City goes next.

The Bears were paying attention too. Truthfully, most of us thought after the team purchased Arlington Park, a closed horse racing track north of Chicago in the suburbs, the team would eventually build a stadium and entertainment district there. Those plans, however, hit a snag which put Chicago back on the team's radar, if the City ever really was off the team's radar.

The stadium proposal, in my opinion, is good for Chicago, good for the people of Chicago, good for the Bears and it even pays homage to Burnham, enough to name it The Burnham Park Project.

Sure it includes a state-of-the-art fixed-roof stadium along the lakefront. Yet it takes the land Soldier Field sits on and turns it into parkland for all while retaining the iconic columns and footprint that made it one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.

Don't get me wrong, the Bears, The City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois probably have a long road ahead of them if they want to make this a reality. First, the Bears want public money to build and the stadium to be publicly owned. Sentiment for public financing of sports stadiums for teams isn't all that popular right now. So that's one fight.

Additionally, Burnham wasn't a fan of private enterprise built on the lakefront. Generally, he thought the lakefront should be free for all. They'll probably have to fight community groups who'd rather not see a huge stadium plopped on the lakefront, however, what makes it OK in my mind, is the land that's going to be turned into a public park.

Not to mention, there are those Chicago Bears fans who really would rather have the team leave the lakefront, or Chicago for the suburbs, for everything from easier access to the stadium to more parking, and easier access to a commuter rail service.

No, this plan isn't a slam dunk. Yet, I can't help but get excited about this plan. It's exciting for Bears fans and Chicagoans. It's also something the Royals should pay attention to because I'd have to say one of the problems with getting people excited about a new ballpark is that they haven't given anyone anything to get excited about.