For the last few weeks all eyes have been on whether the Bulls and Blue Demons would join together in building a new arena/practice facility near McCormick Place. With their announcement today, the Bulls have chosen the Near West Side instead. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf has publicly expressed interest in a site adjacent to United Center, at Wood b/w Madison and Monroe, after being wooed away from their current base in Deerfield by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The lone available rendering, released by Crain's, shows a glorified big box of about 55,000 square feet. But hey, design isn't everything. The facility's economic impact, its transit orientation, and the removal of one more stubborn surface lot are reasons to praise the structure. Crain's Greg Hinz got word that the Bulls facility is scheduled to open in time for the 2014-2015 season. It will join the Bull's other plans for this district, assuming Reinsdorf gets his tax breaks: a large office/retail complex. Now, the question becomes will the Blue Demons follow? The Demons' road to relocation has been littered with several prospective sites, but they've expressed interest in using the United Center.
·Bulls Confirm Location of New Practice Facility [Crain's]
·United Center Owners Pitch Retail Complex at Madison & Wood [Curbed Chicago]
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