Chicago City Council Approves $500 Million Renovation of Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs and one of the United States' most famous sporting venues, is about to get a few renovations. 

Wednesday, July 24, at 3:37 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

The Chicago Cubs have released conceptual illustrations of their renovations (photos courtesy of The Huffington Post):

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From ABC7 Chicago:

According to John Byrne of the Chicago Tribune, "The owners plan to spend $300 million for renovations to the historic ballpark and an additional $200 million on neighborhood development including the hotel at Clark and Addison streets."

Byrne notes that the new renovation will include more advertising within Wrigley, the aforementioned hotel and additional events and night games to be held at the park. 

There has been plenty of wrangling in this deal about preventing outfield signs that would block the rooftop views many people make money off of in Chicago. Those rooftop owners sell tickets, and according to Rick Reilly of ESPN, make an estimated $24 million a year doing so.

Of that, Reilly reported the Cubs bring in just 17 percent. 

Per Byrne, just two additional signs will be going in over the park. 

Alongside Fenway Park in Boston—which is two years older—Wrigley Field stands as a throwback to parks of a different era. It's known for its outfield walls adorned in ivy, its brick backstop and for possessing enough charm to make Cubs fans come to the park despite a World Series title drought dating back to 1908.

The park has been standing since 1914, and the Cubs have been playing at Wrigley for the past 97 years. 

Perhaps these renovations mirror the wave of young talent soon to be coming through the team. Led by current shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs will also call up future stars in Javier Baez, Mike Olt, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler soon enough. 

Despite recent struggles, the future is bright for the team, and the famous ballpark it calls home will now be enjoying a few renovations too.