Chicagoans leery of Wrigley Field billboard proposal

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CHICAGO, May 4 (UPI) -- The owners of the Chicago Cubs say new billboards and signs, opposed by neighbors around Wrigley Field, are a vital part of a stadium renovation project.

The first detailed look at the proposal for the historic stadium and surrounding neighborhood includes a total of 6,560 square feet of signage in and around the ballpark, including a 6,000 square-foot video scoreboard.

People living near the stadium are leery of the "Times Square" effect the signs could have, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday. However, the Ricketts family, which owns the Cubs franchise, says selling advertising on the signs is a key component of the project financing.

The 63-page proposal filed by the Cubs with the city this week said most of the signage would be illuminated.

Some neighborhood groups told the Tribune they did not want residential areas lit up late at night when people are trying to sleep.

The Cubs front office responded by assuring residents they wanted to work with them on a compromise and would take part in various hearings and public meetings.

"There has been great effort that's been made to do something that's great for the community," said Dennis Culloton, a spokesman for the Ricketts family.