Wrigleyville Rooftop Owners Sue City

The owners of eight Wrigleyville rooftop businesses are suing the City of Chicago over the decision to approve a plan to renovate Wrigley Field, Crain's Business Chicago reported Thursday.

The lawsuit claims the city broke it's own rules in the decision to approve the $375 million plan brought forward by the Cubs owners, and deprived the rooftop owners of their property rights without due process.

The lawsuit asks a Cook County Circuit Court judge to reverse the approval.

The city's Commission on Landmarks voted in favor of the team's plan in July after the team presented its expanded blueprint to renovate the historic baseball stadium.

The plan calls for additional seating, new lighting, four additional LED signs of up to 650 square feet, and a 2,400-square-foot video board in right field.

The same commission a year ago OK'd a proposal that included plans for two large video scoreboards at the Friendly Confines. Rooftop owners threatened to sue, arguing the added signage would block views and hurt their revenue. After nearly a year of trying to sort it out, Cubs management in May said they'll risk the lawsuits and proceed with a plan that includes seven outfield signs.

Rooftop owners maintain that the Cubs actions violate a 20-year revenue-sharing agreement that precludes the team from making any changes to the stadium that would block their views.

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