Chicago Fire announce plans for new South Loop soccer stadium

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Fire unveiled plans for a brand new stadium in the South Loop Tuesday morning.

The 78 in the South Loop has been mostly vacant for several years.

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The empty lots are surrounded by railyards, but soon it could become the new home for the Chicago Fire.

The Chicago Fire announcing plans to build a privately funded $650 million stadium for the team.

The location, The 78 , which is near Roosevelt and Clark in the South Loop.

"I'm actually really excited about it," South Loop resident Liberty Cantzler said. We just bought here about a year ago, a little less than a year ago. We are really excited about all the development. We are really hoping that it works out."

The open air stadium is expected to have a capacity of 22,000 and cover approximately nine acres.

With construction beginning as early as this fall, and the stadium slated to be completed by 2028.

The stadium is expected to be part of a mixed-use district that will include dining, shopping, and housing.

For some South Loop residents the project is welcomed news.

"We would love to see restaurants and businesses come in, I think we've had a lot leave since COVID, so it would be nice to have some of those venues and bring tourists into the neighborhood and just some energy," Susan, a South Loop resident, said.

In the past, the site has been floated as a new ballpark for the White Sox or a headquarters for Amazon, ideas that have not come to fruition.

Ray Austin, a former Chicago Bears player from the late 90's, says it would be nice to keep a Chicago team within city limits.

"If we end up losing the Bears, which would be unfortunate, it would be great to have some fun and entertainment this way," Austin said.

The stadium project still needs City Council approval. Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell says she was not aware preliminary plans would be released Tuesday, but she believes this could be a good opportunity for the city of Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson weighed in on those plans for a new stadium. He said Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto is the kind of leader the city needs.

"There's clearly an appetite for major development, growth and expansion for our sports teams and as we continue to demonstrate that we are the global epicenter of the world, it's only fitting, quite frankly, for an international sport like soccer, as it's described in other parts of the world, football, has a stronger footprint in the city of Chicago and it continue to grow our capital globally," Mayor Johnson said.

This project would be privately funded by Mansueto, but the mayor still insists it must have public use and public benefit.

The White Sox had previously announced plans to possibly build a new stadium at the site.

In a statement released Tuesday, the team said, "Related Midwest first approached the White Sox about building a new ballpark on a piece of property they were developing, and we continue to consider the site as an option. We believe in Related Midwest's vision for The 78 and remain confident the riverfront location could serve as a home to both teams. We continue to have conversations with Related Midwest about the site's possibilities and opportunities."