Letter: A winning solution for all

Reflecting on Richard Coha's letter, "How reasonable leaders would respond to Bears (Feb. 23), I concur unequivocally that the Bears should receive no taxpayer money developing the infrastructure of the former Arlington Park property. Dovetailing off Mr. Coha's recommendation, the Bears could sell or lease the land to former Arlington Park President Roy Arnold, who, in turn, could refresh the racetrack and restore thoroughbred racing in Arlington Heights to its former glory. This would generate tax revenue for the village and affect school districts 214 and 15.

As for the Bears, new Bears President Kevin Warren can negotiate with the City of Chicago re-imagining Soldier Field with a translucent dome (paving the way for hosting future Super Bowls and the Final Four), increased seating capacity, reduced rent to the landlord (the Chicago Park District) and a greater share of the revenue stream generated by Bears' home games. The City of Chicago could proceed building One Central Station. This would create a transit-oriented hub bringing together the C. T. A, Metra, and Amtrak thus allowing fans to seamlessly arrive at and depart from Soldier Field.

Furthermore, the Soldier Field parking lot could be replaced with a green, open space connecting Soldier Field with the Museum Campus.

One final question: why can't the NFL provide monetary assistance and invest in remaking the historic stadium of the flagship NFL franchise and television ratings powerhouse? The NFL recently negotiated a new contract with CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN/ABC for $110 billion through 2033. Money is not an issue for the NFL. It's a winning solution for the Village of Arlington Heights, the City of Chicago, and the Chicago Bears and its loyal fans.

Lawrence E. Bonk

Roselle