Mixed-Use District Planning for Professional Sports Team
Chicago Bears
HR&A conducted comprehensive market feasibility and economic impact analyses for the Chicago Bears Football Club as they have sought to build a new stadium in Chicagoland, with a specific focus on building a mixed-use district anchored by a new stadium on a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights. Our assessment provided critical data that informed stakeholder outreach to local and State government officials, supporting the team’s predevelopment planning and regulatory approval processes.
Working closely with the Bears, HR&A evaluated both the market viability and the broader economic implications of the proposed site redevelopment. We analyzed regional market conditions, comparable regional and national mixed-use and stadium-oriented districts, and potential programming scenarios to determine optimal use mix and scale. Our economic and fiscal impact study quantified the project’s potential to generate jobs, tax revenue, and broader community benefits throughout the Arlington Heights, Cook County, and the State of Illinois while identifying strategies to maximize local economic opportunities and ensure sustainable development.
The resulting analysis became a foundational component of the client’s public relations strategy and legislative outreach, providing data-driven evidence of the project’s potential value to the community. Our work helped the franchise articulate a compelling vision for the development that balanced commercial interests with public benefit, creating a stronger position from which to pursue necessary approvals and potential public-private partnership structures for this transformative district.
