Wisconsin developer proposes decking over rail yards west of Soldier Field

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is racing to secure nearly $2 billion in tax-increment-financing subsidies to unlock the development potential of four massive projects in and around downtown Chicago.

Now, there’s another mega-project on the horizon that would not require a TIF subsidy, but has every bit as much potential to re-shape the Central Area.

A team that includes a Wisconsin developer better known for his stadium projects — including Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Ford Field in Detroit — has briefed city officials on an ambitious plan to deck over railroad tracks west of Soldier Field for a project that could include residential, office, retail and possibly hotel components.

That’s the same 34-acre area west of Lake Shore Drive, between McFetridge Drive and 20th Street that Friends of the Parks once suggested as an alternative site for the Lucas Museum before the movie mogul pulled up stakes and took his $400 million project to Los Angeles.

Developer Bob Dunn of Wisconsin-based Hammes Sports Co. could not be reached for comment about the project, first disclosed by Crain’s Chicago Business...

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Ken Notes: Wow this is an interesting one...