Bears Release Demolition Schedule For Arlington Park

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — With work scheduled to take up most of the rest of the year, the Chicago Bears have released a breakdown of the external demolition plan for Arlington Park. The Bears, who own the property, said after work started last Friday that demolition "does not mean the property will be developed."

Here is the tentative schedule released by the team:

• Grandstands Interior — Began May 30 and scheduled to conclude end of summer — working east side bottom to top then west side bottom to top.
• Grandstands Structural — Began June 16 and scheduled to conclude before end of year – working east and then west sides to center of building (see photo above).

1. Orange and Yellow demolishing and processing concrete slabs.
2. Light Blue structural leaving main canopy and structure on north.
3. Light Green structural leaving main canopy and structure on north.
4. Dark Blue canopy and structure on north from east to center.
5. Dark Green canopy and structure on north from west to center

• Grandstand Entrances — Began June 16 and scheduled to conclude end of month.
• Office/Paddock/Jockey Buildings — Scheduled to begin this fall and conclude by end of year.

The cost for the entire demolition process at the 326-acre property is projected to be around $4 million.

The Village of Arlington Heights announced Friday that permits for Phase 2 of the project have been approved. The newly approved permits allow for exterior demolition of buildings to begin, including the grandstand structure. According to officials, the permits for Phase 2 were reviewed and approved separately by both the Village of Arlington Heights and Cook County.

The demolition of the property is expected to take several months, with an end goal of December. Officials said increased truck traffic in the area of the property is "possible" and it will be monitored by security around the clock.

In February, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the former Arlington Park racetrack. Team officials called it a "major step" in an expected long process geared toward building a new stadium and entertainment district on the property.

In recent weeks, the Bears met with officials from Naperville and the City of Chicago about possible future plans in other locations than Arlington Heights. The team recently announced that Arlington Heights and the former Arlington Park Racecourse are no longer the franchise’s singular focus for the site of a new stadium. Waukegan has also expressed interest in the team moving there.

Touchdown Arlington, a group consisting of business owners and community leaders who partnered together to advocate for the Bears making Arlington Heights their permanent home, will meet with Kevin Warren, team president, on Monday. The organization said Warren will be "joining us to discuss what it will take to get the Bears to Arlington Heights."

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Organizers said only ticket-holders will be admitted, and attendees must RSVP by Sunday. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find out more and get ticket's at the group's website here.

RELATED: Phase 2 Of Arlington Park Demolition Approved As Work Begins