CHICAGO — In a recent decision, the Chicago City Council has approved a significant $7 billion redevelopment initiative aimed at revitalizing the area surrounding the United Center. This ambitious project, known as the 1901 Project, will replace current parking lots with a mix of green space, housing options for varying income levels, a music venue, and other community-centric developments. The initiative marks a notable investment in the West Side of Chicago, spearheaded by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families who own both the Chicago Bulls and the NHL’s Blackhawks.
Spanning more than 55 acres of privately held land, the project is set to unfold over the next decade in multiple phases. “Today is a historic moment for the West Side,” expressed Michael Reinsdorf, CEO of the Bulls. He emphasized the importance of this development, framing it as a pivotal and ambitious commitment to enhancing the future of the community. Reinsdorf expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to reimagine the area, indicating that the team is ready to bring this vision to fruition.
The initial phase of the development plans to introduce a 6,000-seat theater, multi-level parking structures that incorporate rooftop green spaces, improved sidewalks, bike lanes for enhanced pedestrian access, alongside a combination of hotel and retail facilities. Subsequent phases will include additional housing options and improvements in transportation infrastructure.
Chairman of the Blackhawks, Danny Wirtz, remarked on the project’s unique nature, stating, “We set out to do something with no existing blueprint.” He affirmed the commitment to fostering an environment that empowers people of all ages, aiming to strengthen the cultural and economic aspects of the West Side community as a whole.
This approval occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding new stadiums for other major Chicago sports teams, such as the NFL’s Chicago Bears and MLB’s Chicago White Sox, both entities under Reinsdorf’s ownership. The Bears are currently pursuing plans for a new enclosed stadium adjacent to Soldier Field, integrated into an envisioned museum campus. Additionally, they possess a sizable 326-acre parcel in Arlington Heights that could serve as a future stadium location, while also considering the former Michael Reese Hospital site in the near South Side.
Meanwhile, the White Sox are exploring relocation options from Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side, with intentions of constructing a new stadium integrated into a ballpark development in the South Loop that includes public green spaces, residential units, and commercial establishments.
