BRONZEVILLE — A team of developers unveiled another proposal Thursday aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in the city, proposing a $10 billion stadium and entertainment district on the site of the former Michael Reese Hospital in Bronzeville.
The proposed Bronzeville Lakefront development would span approximately 100 acres and include a 75,000-seat stadium, more than 5,000 residential units, hotels, restaurants, recreational facilities and public spaces. The developers also said in a news release that they are willing to purchase the Bears’ property in Arlington Heights if the team’s existing investment poses a barrier to considering a Chicago location.
The proposal, announced by Capri Investment Group founder Quintin Primo III and GRIT Chicago, would expand the existing Bronzeville Lakefront development to include the neighboring Prairie Shores apartment complex and proposed air rights over the McCormick Place rail yard. Proponents say expanding the footprint would address previous concerns about whether a stadium could fit at the original Michael Reese site without encroaching on active rail operations.
The portion of the plan that concerns the existing Prairie Shores complex — located at 2937 S. King Drive — could involve demolishing up to 1,000 existing apartments, but developers have committed to building 1,500 replacement units. Developers say they would build replacement housing before removing existing units and are offering tenant protections, including priority access to replacement housing, five years of rent protection and additional help for long-term residents.
Proponents say the details of these protections still need to be worked out with residents and included in enforceable agreements. The plan also calls for the creation of a resident committee and an independent observer to oversee the process.
The wider development would include more than 5,000 homes in and around the district, including affordable, seniors and student housing. Developers also say they are exploring additional housing opportunities near Lake Meadows and with the Illinois Institute of Technology, although those discussions are preliminary.
Other proposed features include a 28-acre public park, approximately 2,000 hotel rooms, a youth sports complex, a health and wellness center and expanded McCormick Place convention space. Developers are also considering new transit connections, including a proposed Metra station at 29th Street and a new CTA Green Line station.
The stadium would be publicly owned, with a preliminary financing plan combining private investment, contributions from the Bears, possible bonds from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority and public infrastructure funding.
Zeb McLaurin, CEO of GRIT Chicago member McLaurin Development Partners, did not directly answer a question about whether the developers had met with the Bears or even Mayor Brandon Johnson about the proposal. The Bears did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) expressed support for the plan as long as existing residents are not negatively affected.
“Bronzeville is one of Chicago’s most historically significant communities, and its future deserves an investment that matches that legacy,” Robinson said in a press release. “Development that combines substantial investment in housing with improvements to transportation, jobs, new businesses and public amenities has the potential to benefit neighborhoods far beyond this site. But its success must also be measured by how we protect existing residents, ensure meaningful community participation and ensure that the people who live here share in these benefits.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson said the mayor was open to hearing proposals from developers, but stressed that any plan would need to undergo careful review and receive community support.
“When stakeholders with a history of investing in Chicago come to the table with ideas, the Mayor is always willing to meet and listen, as many developers can attest,” the mayor’s spokesperson said in a statement. “…The bottom line is that the Mayor knows Chicago is and should remain the home of the Bears and will continue to work with area stakeholders to make that happen.”
Jim Wales, president of South Loop Neighbors, said the group met with one of the developers about a month ago and was generally supportive of the proposal. The South Loop neighborhood borders the northern end of the proposed development, he said.
Wales said his group’s biggest concern was ensuring transportation improvements were planned across the region.
“We don’t want a piecemeal focus on transportation,” Wales said. “We think we need to look at the bigger picture. »
South Loop Neighbors proposed a transit concept called the Central Connector and suggested developers consider expanding it to the Michael Reese site, Wales said. He also said the proposed location would be “significantly better” for fans than Soldier Field because of its proximity to public transportation and the highway.
Wales said his group also sees potential economic benefits for nearby neighborhoods, but he wants transportation planning and protection of existing residents to be part of the process.
The developers said they plan to submit an updated infrastructure plan to the city by Dec. 14 as part of the existing Bronzeville Lakefront development process.
Thursday’s proposal follows an earlier concept for a Bronzeville stadium unveiled in March 2025, when developers launched a domed stadium and $3.2 billion development at the former Michael Reese site. The Bears previously rejected the location, citing its narrow footprint and safety concerns related to nearby railroad tracks.
This comes as state lawmakers — who have failed to pass legislation on a new stadium in the past — are expected to meet soon in a veto session in hopes of keeping the Bears in Illinois.
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