Neighborhood protection plan annual report 2008

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Frederica Hopkins
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Neighborhood protection plan annual report 2008 Copyright

2 December 2008 Dear Neighbors: The 2008 Chicago Cubs baseball season was a truly remarkable one. The Cubs had the best record in the National League and made back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in 100 years. The team boasted eight National League All-Stars, the N.L. Rookie of the Year, Geovany Soto, and N.L. Manager of the Year, Lou Piniella. We are pointed in the right direction. The investments we made in our team, our ballpark and our community showed throughout the year: We competed on a $1.6 million new playing surface for the first time in 2008 and won 97 games, including 55 at home. We set an all-time high in attendance and successfully completed many projects which improved streetscapes in and around the Friendly Confines, including the dedication of a statue to honor Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, near the corner of Clark and Addison. We celebrated our fans with new brick pavers around the entrance to our park. And we hosted the Peoria Chiefs and Kane County Cougars in the first-ever Road to Wrigley minor league game. Off the field in 2008, we continued our aggressive neighborhood protection program aimed at helping make Wrigley Field and our community the best place in America to watch baseball. The number of fans using our remote parking lot at DeVry University set another record as more than 57,000 people and 22,083 cars used the lot an average of 425 per game in the regular season. This helped reduce traffic and parking congestion on neighborhood streets. Our free bicycle valet service served more than 10,238 bike riders. We also continued our active participation in community organizations, events and activities, working together with our neighbors to further the success our community. This report summarizes our efforts for In all, we devoted countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars during the year. In addition to these contributions, the Cubs paid more than $13.5 million in taxes, employed thousands of Chicagoans and committed more than $1.6 million to charity as we continued to be an economic centerpiece on the City s north side. On behalf of the Chicago Cubs, thank you for taking the time to read this report and for helping us keep our community a friendly, exciting and safe place to visit. We look forward to 2009 and to continuing to be involved, active and vigilant as we participate in our community and work to better our neighborhood. Sincerely, Michael R. Lufrano Senior Vice President, Community Affairs Chicago CubsRemote Parking Operation

3 Helping reduce traffic and congestion

The Chicago Cubs continued to build the successful operation of the remote parking lot at DeVry University in 2008.

This is an overall increase of 503% since Cubs took over operation of the lot from the City of Chicago in 2004.

4 The Chicago Cubs continued to build the successful operation of the remote parking lot at DeVry University in During the regular season, 22,083 cars parked at DeVry University and 57,121 fans took the free shuttle to Wrigley Field. This is an overall increase of 503% since Cubs took over operation of the lot from the City of Chicago in Cubs also pay the entire cost of operation of the lot and are required to pay 75% of the revenue (estimated to be $60,166 for 2008) to the City of Chicago. The program continues to gain in popularity and has added cars each season since Every car using the remote parking facility helps to avoid traffic on streets around Wrigley Field. The remote parking lot was operational for every Cubs night and weekend game during the 2008 regular season and for each postseason game - 54 dates in all. Highlights of the year include: 2008 Neighborhood Protection Plan Total cars parked: 23,133. Total fans using the lot: 59,717 Average number of cars per night game (regular season): Average number of cars for all games (regular season): Average number of cars for Sunday games (regular season): Largest single game usage: 550 cars. Cubs provided television and radio advertising for the remote parking facility to help promote its use. The convenience and low cost to park was highlighted. Season ticket holders as well as online purchasers were sent information with their ticket orders before the 2008 season began. Fans could also download information about the remote facility from Cubs Web site, Brochures explaining the shuttle bus and other transportation options were sent to hotels in and around the Chicago area. Transportation alternatives were suggested on the back of season parking and daily sale coupons for all Cubs parking lots. April average May average June average July average August average September average October average

Cubs continued to use electronic message boards to promote the remote parking facility. Three signs were in place for each night and weekend game at various locations adjacent to City streets.

5 Cubs continued to use electronic message boards to promote the remote parking facility. Three signs were in place for each night and weekend game at various locations adjacent to City streets. Static signage on the Edens/Kennedy expressway further helped make the lot easy to locate. Cubs increased the number of buses used for night games (post game) to help accommodate additional use of the lot. This made a difference by facilitating quicker travel to and from the lot during and after the conclusion of games, but resulted in a significant additional cost. CubFund should be considered to fund additional buses in the future if it is desirable to further expand use of the remote parking lots. Expediting traffic for the remote parking buses after night games continues to be a focus as more help is needed to facilitate quicker return trips to the remote lot. In particular, additional help may be needed from the City of Chicago to expedite bus traffic northbound on Clark Street returning to the remote parking lot following games. In 2008, the operation explored staging buses facing westbound on Addison following games. This reduced the time for return to the DeVry lot by almost 50% and was a big success with users of the lot. However, concerns of some of the residents on Addison adjacent to the bus stop resulted in the City s decision to forego this option. As a result, return trips to DeVry continue to take minutes on average. A bus-only lane along Clark St. might help to facilitate traffic movement. During 2008 playoff games, the CTA moved the #154 operations to Racine Ave. Parking along Clark St. and Racine was banned after games and the buses moved towards Irving Park Road with greater ease. This had an immediate impact on reducing the travel time to the remote lot. This is another option which could be explored for the 2009 season. 5

Bike Check Service The Chicago Cubs bicycle check service began on March 31 and operated throughout the regular season and post season as well as the Road to Wrigley minor league game.

This free service continues to have a regular clientele of riders and to offer major contribution to reduce traffic. It is also a big help to the environment.

6 Bike Check Service The Chicago Cubs bicycle check service began on March 31 and operated throughout the regular season and post season as well as the Road to Wrigley minor league game. Service each game day began three hours before the scheduled game time and concluded one hour after the last out. A total of 10,238 bikes used the free service during the regular season. This free service continues to have a regular clientele of riders and to offer major contribution to reduce traffic. It is also a big help to the environment. Cubs television, radio and print advertising promoted the bike operation. Brochures mentioning the service have been printed and distributed for the past five years. Cubs purchased advertising in Transforming Chicagoland through bicycling & walking, a Chicago Bicycle Federation magazine. The spring edition helps promote Cubs facility during the bike the drive campaign. In addition to Cubs bicycle check service area, hundreds of fans locked their bikes to one of the many City of Chicago bicycle racks installed around the park and in the area around Wrigley Field. Additional public racks could be useful during the season. 6

Promotion of Alternate Transportation During the Cubs game broadcast on June 10, 2008,

Of the 1,752 who responded, 38% said they took the train, 25% arrived by car, 18% by

While not a scientific survey, this nonetheless reflects the significant numbers of

reduce traffic and congestion on game days.

means of transportation and other ways to reach the Friendly Confines: In-game

Promotion of CTA service on Wrigley Field scoreboard.

cubs.com. Detailed information published in Cubs monthly magazine and yearbook.

7 Promotion of Alternate Transportation During the Cubs game broadcast on June 10, 2008, an unscientific poll asked viewers how they get to Wrigley Field when they attend games. Of the 1,752 who responded, 38% said they took the train, 25% arrived by car, 18% by bicycle, 11% walk and 7% arrive by bus. While not a scientific survey, this nonetheless reflects the significant numbers of fans who take public transportation or walk or bike to the ballpark all of which help reduce traffic and congestion on game days. Cubs did the following in 2008 to assist with traffic issues by promoting alternate means of transportation and other ways to reach the Friendly Confines: In-game announcement during Cubs television and radio broadcasts. Promotion of CTA service on Wrigley Field scoreboard. In-park announcements during games. Detailed information available at all times on Detailed information published in Cubs monthly magazine and yearbook. Information provided to season ticket holders and other ticket purchasers. Printed brochures distributed to hotels and other visitor venues publicizing public transportation, bicycle check and remote parking. Advertisement in the Chicago Bicycling Federation magazine. 7

8 Traffic Management Authority The Office of Emergency Management and Communication s Traffic Management Authority ( TMA ) program received more positive feedback in 2008 than in any year since the program began. Using individuals familiar with the area and with the operational patterns was a big plus and helped to address many concerns of past years. There were however games when traffic patterns seemed to change without notice or communication to residents. Many of these changes resulted in calls and complaints to Cubs. Typically as many as 59 traffic aides are posted in the area of Wrigley Field to control traffic for each Cubs game. The Chicago Cubs reimburse the City of Chicago for TMA traffic aides used during games. In 2007, this resulted in a total contribution of $511,708 from the Cubs to the City of Chicago. In 2008, the cost thru June 26th was $ 267, At least one change to traffic operations around Wrigley Field during Cubs games this season has a potential negative impact to security around the ballpark. We thought it important to raise here: Sheffield Avenue has been opened to traffic between Addison and Waveland Avenue until one hour prior to games. This is a change from practice in past years. In past years, the street was closed when Wrigley Field gates open two hours prior to game time. The change brings risks associated with having the street open to traffic while fans are congregating in the area. Among these risks are: (a) traffic in such close proximity to a ballpark filled with people risks potential for accident or planned attack, which could cause significant injury and put at risk hundreds or thousands of fans; and (b) outside the stadium, fans, neighborhood residents and pedestrians are often distracted by the ballpark and the game and may not be watching street traffic carefully, thus increasing the potential for accident and injury. We have witnessed fans waving to friends and not paying attention as cars drove by in close proximity. Obviously the City of Chicago is in the best position to evaluate the potential risk. We understand there may be concerns in closing this street, as well. If necessary, it may be useful to convene a meeting of the Wrigley Field Traffic Operations Committee to involve the community in a discussion of this matter. The following traffic pattern ideas have been raised by neighbors and businesses during the course of the season. Each should be evaluated as a way to determine best practices to address Cubs-related traffic around Wrigley Field: Stop traffic on Sheffield for all games beginning when Wrigley Field gates open two hours prior to game time. Buses on Sheffield between Addison and Waveland should face south. Stop NB traffic on Racine (from Addison to Grace) in the 30 minutes after each game. Objective: Help keep NB Clark Street clear for bus traffic. Ensure two lanes WB traffic on Irving Park following all games. Second lane can be achieved by parking restrictions for the two hours following games (consistent with the restrictions on Clark Street) or through Chester Kropidlowski s proposal to off-set the centerline on Irving Park. Will greatly facilitate traffic flow exiting the neighborhood Neighborhood Protection Plan 8

2008 Neighborhood Protection Plan For Night Games Coordinate traffic signals on Irving Park WB to Western Avenue after games. Objective: Keep WB Irving Park available for cars headed to expressway.

Objective: Smoothe post-game traffic flow. For Night Games Facilitate traffic exit from Green lot. Through parking restrictions on WB Grace Street from Racine to the Green lot.

Cubs and the Traffic Management Authority worked together to improve this service in 2008. Movement of personnel and other changes have become routine procedure to address traffic variability.

Cubs again welcome the opportunity to meet with TMA officials this offseason to discuss ways to improve operations for 2009.

9 2008 Neighborhood Protection Plan For Night Games Coordinate traffic signals on Irving Park WB to Western Avenue after games. Objective: Keep WB Irving Park available for cars headed to expressway. Note: Must fix the stoplight at Southport and Irving Park so it coordinates. For Night Games Facilitate a bus lane on NB Clark Street from Waveland to Irving Park. Objective: Smoothe post-game traffic flow. For Night Games Facilitate traffic exit from Green lot. Through parking restrictions on WB Grace Street from Racine to the Green lot. Objective: Allow homeowners a lane to enter. Stop lights at Clark and School and Roscoe to replace the stop signs. Traffic study to review post-game westbound traffic. Cubs and the Traffic Management Authority worked together to improve this service in Movement of personnel and other changes have become routine procedure to address traffic variability. During the last off-season, a review of procedures and policies helped ensure the best practices at all locations. Cubs again welcome the opportunity to meet with TMA officials this offseason to discuss ways to improve operations for Permits Printing costs for the neighborhood night game resident permit parking stickers and guest vehicle placards in the 383 and LV-2 zones have been the responsibility of the Chicago Cubs for the past five years. Cubs paid $29, for the City s program in As of July 1, 2008 the Residential Permit Parking Zone 383 replaced the LV2 Night Game Parking Program on most streets in the 44th and 46th wards. As a result, this cost will be reduced in

10 Chicago Transit Authority During the baseball season, Cub fans enjoy convenient services of the Chicago Transit Authority. Additional rail service is provided for weeknight Cubs games via southbound Purple Line Express trains which stop at Sheridan and Yellow Line trains which operate two hours later than the regular schedule from Howard. Cub fans can also access Wrigley Field from several CTA bus routes, including #8 Halsted, #22 Clark and #152 Addison. Riders traveling on the Purple line often use the Sheridan station located one block north of Wrigley Field. Season ticket holders as well as online purchasers were sent information with their ticket orders before the 2008 season began. Brochures explaining transportation options were sent to hotels in and around the Chicago area. Transportation alternatives were suggested on the back of season and daily parking coupons for all Cubs parking lots. Information in all literature included CTA services, DeVry remote parking and Pace (Wrigley Field Express) bus options. Pace Use of the Pace bus program was very strong during the 2008 season. In part, this was due to the promotion on television and radio broadcasts and in Wrigley Field. Pace operated its Schaumburg bus shuttle service and also a non-stop shuttle service from Lombard, Illinois. Buses staged on Clark Street. The service was well promoted by Pace and offers a convenient way to get to Wrigley Field from the western suburbs. Total ridership on the Schaumburg and Lombard services was 45,516. The 2008 totals reflect a 34.4% increase for the Pace Wrigley Field Express program vs

11 Clean up

Litter, Trash Removal Among the efforts undertaken by Cubs in 2008: Trash pick-up after games and following morning. Trash bins around the park emptied during the game.

homestand. These sidewalks and sidewalks immediately adjacent to all Wrigley Field parking lots owned by Cubs were power washed at least once a month. In-park announcements during each game (e.g. throw-away trash in bins before leaving the park and throw trash only in bins outside of the park).

12 Litter, Trash Removal Among the efforts undertaken by Cubs in 2008: Trash pick-up after games and following morning. Trash bins around the park emptied during the game. Power washed sidewalks immediately adjacent to Wrigley Field (north side of Addison Street, west side of Sheffield Avenue, south side of Waveland Avenue, east side of Clark Street) at least once per homestand. These sidewalks and sidewalks immediately adjacent to all Wrigley Field parking lots owned by Cubs were power washed at least once a month. In-park announcements during each game (e.g. throw-away trash in bins before leaving the park and throw trash only in bins outside of the park). Trash bins and personnel stationed at exits to ask people to deposit trash, non-souvenir cups, wrappers, etc. in bins before exiting the park. Signs posted to remind fans to throw away trash in bins before exiting the park and throw away trash in bins outside the park. Detail cleaning of the area bounded by Clark Street, Street, Sheffield Avenue and Waveland Avenue. This included emptying garbage bins on opposite sides of the street. Emptying of public trash bins on holiday weekends and other times when City service is lessened and garbage is increased, even when unrelated to Cubs games. Emptied public or Cubs-owned or placed trash bins at corners or locations in the area bounded by Halsted Street, Montrose Avenue, Damen Avenue and Belmont Avenue, and in the area bounded by Kenmore Avenue adjacent to Challenger Park and Kelly Park and Seminary Avenue adjacent to Kelly Park after Night Games, and in all Cub (or affiliate)-owned or - operated Wrigley Field parking lots on all game days (typically three hours after a game). Hand cleaning and sweeping in the area, including Wayne, Roscoe, beyond Freemont east to Halsted on Sheridan, Bradley Place, Grace and Waveland, as well as additional side streets to the northeast (Buena, Gordon Terrace, Belle Plaine and Cuyler Avenue). Cleaning west on Patterson, Magnolia, Lakewood, Wayne to Southport, and including Addison, Waveland and Grace Streets. South of Addison to Roscoe, including Newport, Cornellia and Eddy streets. Neighborhood hand cleaning by Cleanstreet on Saturdays when the team is away and on an as-needed basis at other times. Neighborhood clean up and trash removal was performed by Cubs staff and by the Cleanstreet crew. After each game day, Cubs crews began their work approximately three to four hours after the game ended. Our crews worked four zones dressed in bright green shirts identifying them as Cubs Night Crew. Each group had a blue dumpster with Cubs logo. 12

This area contained approximately 215 trash containers, all were emptied after each game day as well as other days when the team

13 Cubs hired Allied Waste to empty public trash bins and additional cans in an area of approximately two square miles. Halsted, Belmont, Ashland and Montrose is the boundary area. This area contained approximately 215 trash containers, all were emptied after each game day as well as other days when the team is away. Many of the cans around Wrigley Field were removed after the season at the request of the 44th Ward Streets and Sanitation department. These were cleaned and placed into storage. Game Day Cleanup 13

14 Neighborhood participation and partnership

Game times Cubs played 28 regular season night games in 2008. One minor league game was scheduled for the night of July 29. No baseball games were scheduled during the Pride Parade.

15 Game times Cubs played 28 regular season night games in One minor league game was scheduled for the night of July 29. No baseball games were scheduled during the Pride Parade. The 2009 Cubs schedule is currently available at and was made available as early as reasonable to help facilitate neighborhood planning. Communications alerts sent to municipal entities and neighborhood leaders. Neighborhood with more than 6,260 signed up for regular updates. To sign up, go to Approximately one per month was sent to this list to provide news and timely information about activities at Wrigley Field, schedule changes, etc. Promote notice of game time changes. Continued participation in community meetings and neighborhood association meetings to keep in touch with our community, stay informed and share information. Wrigley Field Traffic Operations Committee met before and during the season to review performance and share notes and ideas. Neighborhood watch by Cubs Crowd Management team. 15

16 Hotline and Command Center The Chicago Cubs fund a command center and hotline operated by the Chicago Police Department to receive calls from neighborhood residents during Cubs home games. This command center is staffed by Chicago Police and used for role call for both the CPD detail and the TMA units. The hotline is operated by Chicago Police Department personnel. Game day hotline: CPD-TOW on game days before, during and after games. To contact Cubs about community concerns at other times: Additional Game Day Protections In addition, Cubs provided and funded the following in 2008: Portable restrooms placed in each Cubs-owned or affiliated parking lot. Bleacher restrooms available for one hour after games. Community Affairs The 2008 Cubs Caravan took place Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 17. The Caravan consisted of two tours of Chicago Cubs players, coaches and front office staff combining to visit five cities, six elementary schools, a Boys and Girls Club, Chicago s Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a charity luncheon benefiting Cubs Care. Many of the stops were in Lake View, including a visit to Nettlehorst elementary school. Both Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly funded charitable ticket programs for disadvantaged youth by purchasing and donating 500 tickets for several games this season. The annual Race to Wrigley took place Saturday, April 13, and more than 5,000 participants signed up to raise money for charity. Wrigleyville Neighbors Day in May welcomed many area residents to the Friendly Confines for free food and a chance to play on the field. Neighbor Ticket Day on Saturday, April 19 offered many local community organizations a chance to purchase discounted Cubs tickets to attend the game and/or use as a fundraiser for their organizations. Meet the Team, Have a Ball took place on Tuesday, May 13, and raised more than $100,000 for Cubs charities. Hey Dad, Wanna Have a Catch offered fathers and sons, or any family members, the chance to play catch in the Wrigley Field outfield while raising money for charity. RBI Championships at Wrigley Field Tuesday, August 12. The Cubs contributions helped Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) and offered a chance for participants to play at Wrigley Field. Several Cubs visited Lake View schools to ring the bell on the first day of school September 2. Ryan Dempster, Neal Cotts, Mark DeRosa and Jason Marquis helped children kick off the school year at Blaine, Agassiz and Prescott elementary schools. 16

17 Other visits throughout the year helped bring the 2008 Cubs in touch with our community. For example pitchers Rich Harden and Jon Lieber, infielder Daryle Ward and pitching coach Larry Rothschild visited Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Catchers Geovany Soto and Henry Blanco and coach Mike Quade visited Children s Memorial Hospital s Brown Family Life Center. The Cubs wives annual food drive to benefit the Lakeview Pantry took place on Saturday, August 30, and raised 14,500 lbs. of food and $4,880. This remains the single largest fundraiser in the history of the Lakeview Pantry. The McCormick Foundation, through its fund Cubs Care, granted more than $1 million to Chicago non-profit organizations in Nearly half of those dollars were granted to organizations located in or serving the Lakeview community. The Cubs also worked with Chicago Cubs Charities to begin construction on a first class Little League baseball stadium in Humboldt Park. The park should be ready for opening at the start of the 2009 season. The Cubs partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Alderman Billy Ocasio to raise $2 million to make this dream a reality. The field is built in cooperation with the Chicago Park District and the Parkways Foundation. At a groundbreaking ceremony on August 20, Cubs All Stars Carlos Zambrano and Geovany Soto brought a bit of Wrigley Field magic to Humboldt Park. Little Cubs Field s design highlights some of the well-known elements of Wrigley Field. The scoreboard will be reminiscent of the famed Wrigley Field marquee, while the pitchers will be able to warm up in bullpens along the first and third base sidelines just like the pros. The seating will feature covered grandstand seats with a roofline like the Major League park. Little Cubs Field at Humboldt Park is another example of the enduring partnership between the Cubs and the Chicago Park District. It aims to be a World Class ballpark built in and for a community whose passion for baseball is second to none. CubFund Recommendations The City has asked Cubs to provide input on potential uses of the CubFund. CubFund is a $1 million commitment made by Cubs to fund unanticipated needs in the community during the life of the Agreement. The Cubs contributed $148, in 2008 and the fund maintains an unspent balance in excess of more than $400,000. The CubFund is available to be used in furtherance of neighborhood protection and improvement for matters related to Cubs baseball games and other events at Wrigley Field. It is intended to fund unanticipated expenses related to the impact of Cubs baseball games on the area surrounding Wrigley Field. The CubFund is used within the area bounded by the North Branch of the Chicago River, Diversey Parkway, Lake Michigan, Buena Avenue, Clark Street from Buena Avenue to Montrose Avenue and adjacent blocks, and at or around any remote parking lots. Uses are determined by the aldermen of wards neighboring Wrigley Field after input from Cubs, the City of Chicago and the community. 17

18 In 2008, the aldermen of the 44th, 46th, 47th and 32nd wards committed $50,000 to reimburse CDOT for consultants used to perform obligations under the Night Game ordinance and to perform other City services. During the year, a number of suggestions have been made by Cubs and area residents for potential uses of CubFund. Among them are: Funding for additional buses for the remote parking lot to help reduce the time it takes to return to the lot after games and thereby promote additional use of the lot. A traffic study designed to identify the most efficient ways to direct traffic west of the ballpark following games. Increased lighting in the blocks immediately west of Wrigley Field. A private hospitality team to be a visible deterrent on neighboring streets after night games. Re-naming the Red line Addison el stop as Cubs-Addison (similar to Sox-35th ). Crosswalk at Irving Park and Seminary (plus stop light). CTA fare card machine for Wrigley Field. Enhanced or additional variable message boards. Technology for IPASS-like system of enforcement and ticketing for night games. Install parking pay boxes in lieu of meters to increase parking without artificial spacing. Lighting at Kelly Park and Challenger Park. We hope you enjoyed reading about our community efforts and our role in the 2008 Neighborhood Protection and Improvement program. These efforts remain an important part of the on-going partnership between Cubs and our neighbors and will continue into Thank you for your help making these efforts possible. We look forward to seeing you in and around the neighborhood in the year ahead! 18

NEIGHBORHOOD protection report

NEIGHBORHOOD protection report Dear Neighbors: Thank you for your tremendous support of the Chicago Cubs in 2011. Each year, we are proud to share with the community our efforts aimed at helping to enhance