Work continues on Wrigley Field renovation project

Our friends over at Bleed Cubbie Blue recently gave us all an update on the 1060 Project, which is the official name for the ongoing, multi-phase Wrigley Field renovation Project.

On Saturday, BCB offered this take of work – which was largely quiet on a chilly day in the Windy City:

"The streets around the ballpark were quiet today. No utility work being done out on the streets. They quickly started work on Sheffield Avenue now that the demolition phase is done. Contractors were digging in the area around the right field bleachers. While I was there, it looked like people were walking around the ballpark in groups.This offseason marks the first of a four-phase overhaul of the Friendly Confines, which turned 100 this year. In case you hadn’t been keeping tabs on the project, here’s a breakdown of the next several years and what the project will mean for Wrigley Field and both its functionality and appearance.Phase I:Largely consisting of structural updates and infrastructure work, the first phase of the 1060 Project essentially lays the groundwork for the next few years. According to the organization’s website dedicated to the project, “steel and deep foundation work” will be performed on the third-base side of the ballpark, but that’s not what has caught the attention of media of late. The focus of Cubs fans and writers alike has surrounded the demolition of both the left and right-field bleachers – one of the most popular attractions for fans attending games on the North Side of Chicago.With the expansion work, the outfield walls will now extend to where the sidewalks used to be surrounding the ballpark. The team purchased the sidewalks in recent years, which will allow “an additional 300 seating positions in left and right field and 300 new standing room positions in the bleacher deck.” In addition to this renovation, additional concessions and new group terraces are also slated for construction.More from Chicago Cubs NewsCubs need to walk the walk this winter after talking the talkAlec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitterCubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023Projecting the 2023 Cubs Opening Day lineupCubs: 2022 season a ‘success,’ according to Tom RickettsPerhaps the most aesthetically noticeable changes to Wrigley Field will be the new outfield signage, which will include a 3,990-square-foot video board in right field, a 2,400-square-foot board in right field and other additional advertising, as well. After concerns were voiced by fans, the team maintained that the boards would be used to provide game information and replays – not other “entertainment” acts such as ‘Kiss-Cam’.Phase II:The second installation of the $500-million plus project will focus largely on new clubhouse facilities for the Cubs. Currently, the team has just 11,000 square feet of clubhouse space, which will triple in size to a modern 30,000-square-foot area. This includes locker rooms, strength and conditioning areas, training and hydrotherapy rooms, team offices and a lounge for players. It will be located underneath a new plaza area, which will be located on the area now known as the Purple Lot.For those of you who have went on a tour of Wrigley in the past, the former clubhouse area will be reutilized to include an auditorium, additional office space, a larger dugout and underground batting tunnels.For fans, there will be additions of a new third base club and a development of the home plate area – which will be specific to season ticket holders.One of the most controversial aspects of this phase centers around the respective bullpens being moved under the bleachers. Additional seating will be installed in the areas formerly used for the bullpens down the third and first-base lines.Concrete removal and replacement from “the left-field foul pole to the main gate under the marquee” will also take place, with the addition of new concessions and restrooms in the works, as well. The right-field upper deck development, which will include a new outdoor concourse area, is also slated for this phase.Phase III:Similar work on the first-base side of the Friendly Confines dominates the third phase of this four-part project, including a new umpires room and an improved visitors’ clubhouse. Clark the Cub will also get a new home, as well.The same outdoor upper level concourse area will be installed along the left-field side of the field, matching the right-field upper deck development. Concourse work, which is an overarching aspect of the renovation project, will also be complete by this point, according to the organization.Phase IV:Any last-minute concourse work will be completed by this point and the Captain Morgan Club area will be replaced by a two-story retail and entertainment area. The mid-section of the upper level, including a renovated press box, new bathrooms and additional concessions, will also all be completed by this point.In addition to the fourth phase of the work within the ballpark itself, the Ricketts family’s plan for the surrounding area will be in full effect by this stage, as well. This includes the aforementioned plaza area – which will be open to the public year-round, an office building for Cubs offices and a Starwood hotel across the street. The streets around the ballpark were quiet today. No utility work being done out on the streets. They quickly started work on Sheffield Avenue now that the demolition phase is done. Contractors were digging in the area around the right field bleachers. While I was there, it looked like people were walking around the ballpark in groups."