Rooftop owners around Wrigley Field have come up with an idea they hope will get things moving on the ball park's renovation. ( Source: WGN - Chicago)
The rooftop clubs outside Wrigley Field unveiled a plan Friday to put digital signs on their buildings and give the revenue to the Chicago Cubs.
Representatives of the clubs said it is a better alternative to the team's plan to put up signs in the outfield that could potentially block the views from the rooftops and hurt their businesses.
"We believe this is common sense plan is a win-win for the community, rooftops, City Hall and the Cubs," said Beth Murphy, owner of Murphy's Rooftop.
The rooftop owners said they expect their businesses to contribute more than $185 million to the local economy in the next 20 years, $70 million of which would be earmarked for the Cubs. A sign detailing their estimates ended with the words, "Destroying one business to benefit another is not the answer."
Dennis Culloton, a spokesman for the Ricketts family, said that the rooftop owners should discuss their plan with the team "instead of holding press conferences."
A representative of the team, Cubs marketing specialist Kevin Saghy, tried to attend the press conference but was asked to leave the room during the video presentation of the rooftop plan. Saghy brought a tape recorder but did not wear any credentials to indicate he was a Cubs representative.
"A deadline is fast approaching for the team and the city of Chicago to move forward," Culloton said.
Culloton also said the team would bring in more money from advertising atop the back wall of the bleachers than ads on the rooftop buildings.
"Inside the ballpark is going to be infinitely more valuable than advertising outside the ballpark," Culloton said.
Culloton also reiterated the call of Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts for the city to free up the team to run the ballpark without a slew of restrictions.
"The Ricketts family and the Chicago Cubs want the right to run their business so they can continue to be good stewards of Wrigley Field and in doing so save the beloved ballpark for future generations," he said.
Ryan McLaughlin, a spokesman for the rooftop owners, said Cubs representatives were familiar with the general outline of the plan before today's press conference. Murphy presented it a community meeting Wednesday with Ald. Thomas Tunney, 44th, neighborhood groups and Cubs representatives present, he said.
Tunney suggested Friday the rooftop plan could be a part of the overall effort to rehab Wrigley.
"The advertising proposal from the rooftops can be part of the larger picture for preserving Wrigley," Tunney said in a prepared statement.
"I remain committed to working with the Cubs and small businesses in the neighborhood. Most importantly, we will continue to engage our residents in discussions concerning Wrigley Field and their quality of life."
asachdev@tribune.com
Wrigley rooftops offer Cubs billboard revenue
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