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Arlington Park Redevelopment

This webpage is intended to house all updates and public communication related to the potential redevelopment of the 326-acre Arlington Park property. Information, presentations, and announcements will be shared on this page as they become available.
Tentative Upcoming Meetings and Related Topic (Subject to change)
There are currently (February 15, 2023) no meetings scheduled with any agenda items related to this topic.

Latest Update: February 15, 2023

The Village of Arlington Heights has been notified by the Chicago Bears Football Club (CBFC) that they have finalized the purchase of the 326-acre Arlington Park property in our community. To view their open letter to the public, please visit https://arlingtonpark.chicagobears.com/.

The Village of Arlington Heights is very excited about this unique opportunity and appreciative that the CBFC has chosen to make such a major investment in our community. However, we have an obligation to ensure that any project proposed will be in the best interests of our residents before any approvals are granted. Over the coming months and years, we look forward to working with the CBFC, our residents, and all other stakeholders in an open and transparent manner, while we work to explore the potential opportunities this development could bring to our region. Our goal is to work together to create a new regional destination befitting of the great legacy of the property. 

While the CBFC’s purchase of this property is a major milestone, it’s important to remember that we are still in early stages of discussions about what will happen with this property. The next phase of this project will be to analyze the specifics of what they will propose for the land. As previously stated, even though the CBFC have now purchased the property, this does not necessarily mean that their proposed project will ultimately move forward. The Village and the CBFC have pledged to cooperate in good faith with one another, and with all stakeholders, to explore the development of the site.

The Village will continue to update our Arlington Park Redevelopment page at www.vah.com/ArlingtonPark with meeting information, related documents, presentations, and FAQs. As with all projects, once formal plans are received, public meetings will take place and community member input will be encouraged. The Village always encourages residents to reach out with any questions by emailing specialprojects@vah.com.

The Village of Arlington Heights has been notified by the Chicago Bears Football Club (CBFC) that they have finalized their purchase of the 326-acre Arlington Park property in our community. To view their open letter to the public, please visit https://arlingtonpark.chicagobears.com/.

The Village of Arlington Heights is very excited about this unique opportunity and appreciative that the CBFC has chosen to make such a major investment in our community. However, we have an obligation to ensure that any project proposed will be in the best interests of our residents before any approvals are granted. Over the coming months and years, we look forward to working with the CBFC, our residents, and all other stakeholders in an open and transparent manner, while we work to explore the potential opportunities this development could bring to our region. Our goal is to work together to create a new regional destination befitting of the great legacy of the property. 

While the CBFC’s purchase of this property is a major milestone, it’s important to remember that we are still in early stages of discussions about what will happen with this property. The next phase of this project will be to analyze the specifics of what they will propose for the land. As previously stated, even though the CBFC have now purchased the property, this does not necessarily mean that their proposed project will ultimately move forward. The Village and the CBFC have pledged to cooperate in good faith with one another, and with all stakeholders, to explore the development of the site.

The Village will continue to update our Arlington Park Redevelopment page at www.vah.com/ArlingtonPark with meeting information, related documents, presentations, and FAQs. As with all projects, once formal plans are received, public meetings will take place and community member input will be encouraged. The Village always encourages residents to reach out with any questions by emailing specialprojects@vah.com.

Village Board voted to approve a Pre-Development Agreement and Overlay District Zoning Amendment

Plan Commission Public Hearing to discuss Draft Overlay District Zoning Amendment to add Sports Wagering Facility as a Special Use
Monday, October 10th at 7 p.m.: Broadcast Live
Committee of the Whole to Discuss Draft Pre-Development Agreement which outlines a Roadmap for future discussions
View Agenda: Ordinance Review Committee to Discuss Draft Overlay District Zoning Amendment to add Sports Wagering Facility as a Special Use
The Village Board hosted a Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 12th. 

The Village of Arlington Heights will be hosting its regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss updates regarding Arlington Park, on Monday, September 12th, at 7:30 p.m., at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd in the Theater, with a public entrance through door #34. The meeting location has changed to a larger venue given the great amount of community interest on this topic. 

At the Sept. 12th meeting, Village staff will provide a summary of preliminary discussions that have taken place so far, discuss the development of a project roadmap, and will introduce some preliminary proposed zoning changes. At this meeting the Village Board will receive a presentation on the background on this project and an outline of the next steps. No decisions will be made at this meeting. All Committee of the Whole meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village’s website at https://www.vah.com/your_government/agendas___minutes_ and on the Village’s YouTube page www.youtube.com/VAHBoardMeetings.     

Please note, this is a separate meeting from the community meeting that the Chicago Bears are hosting at John Hersey High School on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 – 9 p.m. Representatives from the Chicago Bears will not be participating at the Village’s Committee of the Whole Sept. 12th meeting.
The Chicago Bears have announced that they will be hosting a community meeting at John Hersey High School (1900 E Thomas St, Arlington Heights) on Thursday, September 8th, from 7 – 9 p.m., regarding their potential purchase and redevelopment of the Arlington Park Property.

For more information visit the Chicago Bears website.

See Press Release
The Chicago Bears and Churchill Downs Incorporated recently executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Arlington Park land parcel. The Village of Arlington Heights has been in communication with the Chicago Bears and Churchill Downs over the past summer to discuss the potential sale of the 326-acre Arlington Park parcel. The Village recognizes that many residents and stakeholders have questions about the potential redevelopment of this land and its impact. This will be a long discussion and there will be many opportunities for community stakeholders to engage in the process.  As with all development efforts, the Village will thoroughly analyze all proposals and make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the Arlington Heights community as a whole. 

While this process is in its initial stages, all parties fully respect and understand the challenging and complex nature of this effort and are committed to work through and fully explore the tremendous opportunities that this site presents. Further information will be made available as the process unfolds.
The Village of Arlington Heights was made aware that the Chicago Bears submitted a bid for the purchase of the Arlington International Racecourse Property site. The Village will be working with the property owner, broker, and all potential purchasers over the next several months to determine which uses would be best for the Arlington Heights community.