One of the most iconic ballparks in Major League Baseball is going to be getting some upgrades. On Thursday, a Chicago city commission approved a renovation project for the 100-year-old ballpark.
This plan includes adding a Jumbotron and six additional electronic signs. The Jumbotron will be located above the left field wall, and one of the other six electrical signs will be placed above the right field fence. The signs will take up approximately 56 percent of the entire outfield, reports chicagobusiness.com .
"With this vote today we hope the politics are behind us and we're ready to move forward," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said.
The Cubs organization also got approval for expanding the bleachers and moving the bullpens underneath the bleachers. The money generated by the signs will cover the $500 million project, according to The Associated Press.
The Cubs will likely face opposition from their neighbors. The apartment buildings that sell rooftop seats for the games have a 20-year agreement with the organization that prevents the erection of any objects that obstruct their view. The rooftop owners will threaten to sue.
"We will discuss with them every option to avoid litigation," Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney told the panel in Thursday’s meeting. "We will meet as soon as possible with every rooftop owner who is willing."