Emanuel: Chicago ordinance bans 24-hour work on Wrigley Field renovations

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Construction for the Wrigley Field renovation is taking longer than expected. The Chicago Cubs planned to ask for permission to work around the clock, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel said no.

When the season starts next month, there will be 5,000 fewer seats. The right field bleachers won't open until June. Renovation crews blame the brutally cold weather for slowing work.

The team said Monday that it wanted city leaders to approve 24-hour work days for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. But the mayor said Tuesday that there is an ordinance on the books that prohibits 24-hour construction work.

Cubs officials said Tuesday that the team submitted an official letter of request for a variance to the city noise ordinance to allow construction work from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"Our interest has always been in working as hard as we can and getting as much work done as possible in a short time frame. But we understand we also need to be conscious of the impact on our neighbors," the Cubs said in a statement.