Final Wrigley renovation plans to be reviewed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Chicago City Council will meet Wednesday to review final changes made to the Wrigley Field $500 million renovation plan. However, before the project begins, the Cubs want the rooftop association to agree not to sue the team over blocked views.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Tuesday he was not sure how close the team was in terms of an agreement with the Wrigleyville Rooftop Association. Ricketts was at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday to attend the Cubs' annual dinner with their Minor League affiliates.

"There's been a lot of ideas thrown out," Ricketts said regarding attempts by the team and rooftop owners to reach a compromise. "I'm not sure where we're at in terms of 'closeness.'"

On Tuesday, the city's panel on Transportation and Public Way approved the plan to move Wrigley Field's property lines farther into Sheffield and Waveland Avenues than what had been previously approved. That would extend Wrigley Field's footprint and allow the Cubs to move exterior outfield walls back to accommodate new signage. In return, the Cubs will pay $3.75 million over the next 10 years into a fund to be used for infrastructure improvements to the area, according to reports.

Even if the plan is approved, the Cubs still must deal with the rooftop owners who oppose the video scoreboard proposed for left field and the script see-through sign proposed for right.

Ricketts said Tuesday the Cubs would like to do both signs at the same time.

"We're looking at everything as a package," Ricketts said.