Sports Venues
Chicago Cubs Agree to Make Wrigley Field ADA Improvements to Settle Feds' Lawsuit
An agreement between the U.S. Dept. of Justice and Chicago Cubs calls for the team to improve and add wheelchair seating at Wrigley Field.
Drawing by Populous courtesy U.S. Dept. of Justice/Chicago Cubs
Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs have entered into a settlement with the U.S. Dept. of Justice over renovations to Wrigley Field, federal and Cubs officials announced Oct. 31. As part of the settlement, the team agreed to update Wrigley Field with more accessibility options for people with disabilities.
The move resolves allegations that Justice Dept. officials made in a 2022 lawsuit against the Cubs claiming that the team’s “1060 Project” renovations conducted between 2014 and 2020 violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Cubs had argued in this case and other legal challenges that the changes were necessary to maintain the historic character of the 110-year-old ballpark.
“As a result of this settlement, baseball fans with physical disabilities will have vastly improved options at Wrigley Field—on par with those available to all other patrons,” said Morris Pasqual, acting U.S. attorney for the northern district of Illinois, in a statement. The Cubs have worked collaboratively with officials to find solutions, he added.
Along with the agreement, the Justice Dept. and Cubs filed plans for renovations designed by architect Populous and structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti with updates to seating in some sections around the ballpark. The agreement calls for the installation of a total 15 additional wheelchair spaces and companion seats in lower deck sections, 16 in upper deck sections and several more in the outfield bleachers. Some wheelchair platforms would also be widened.
The plans are subject to approval by city officials and the state historic preservation office, the agreement notes. Wrigley Field was originally built in 1914 and remains one of the oldest MLB ballparks in use. In 2020, the U.S. Dept. of the Interior designated it a National Historic Landmark.
The agreement also calls for other remediations related to ticketing, ensuring objects such as trash cans are not placed in required clear floor spaces, making dining service counter heights accessible and other items.
In a statement, the Cubs said they believe Wrigley Field is already ADA compliant, but they are committed to achieving greater accessibility. The consent decree notes the team denies the allegations in the Justice Dept.'s suit. The team said the 1060 Project increased accessible seating options at the ballpark by more than 50%, and added 11 elevators, more accessible restroom facilities and other accessibility improvements.
“When the Chicago Cubs embarked on the 1060 Project to restore and modernize Wrigley Field, its mission was to improve the overall guest experience for all fans, including people with disabilities,” the team said.
Last year, a judge ruled in favor of the Cubs in a separate lawsuit that had accused the team of violating the ADA by moving wheelchair seating to less appealing areas during the renovations.
The upcoming renovations are due to be completed during the current MLB offseason, under the terms of the agreement. The Cubs did not immediately say which contractor would perform the work. Pepper Construction was the contractor on the 1060 project.
