New Practice Facility Next to United Center Announced - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**King Joseus** · 11-16-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

The Chicago Bulls will build their new basketball practice facility on a site next to the United Center, the team announced today, releasing a preliminary architectural rendering of the planned facility.

"I am pleased that the Bulls are moving their practice facilities into the City of Chicago and continuing the great work revitalizing the entire neighborhood around the United Center," said Mayor Emanuel. "The Bulls are an iconic championship team and a source of pride for our city. Their future, and the future of the West Side, is bright."

The location planned for the new facility is Parking Lot J, which sits east of the United Center across South Wood Street between Monroe and Madison Streets. Plans for the new facility remain in development and the project, which will be funded completely by the Bulls, is scheduled for completion in time for the 2014-2015 season.

Quote:

The Bulls have practiced at the Sheri L. Berto Center in Deerfield, IL, since 1992. The team intends to sell the current practice facility.

“We share Mayor Emanuel’s vision for the West Side and are proud that this new facility will be a major part of that vision,” said President and COO Michael Reinsdorf. “Our current practice facility presented some limitations for us and as we looked to invest in the team’s future, we recognized the importance of also investing in our community.”

"I am pleased that the Bulls are planning to build this new facility in the shadow of the United Center, and I commend the team for their continued work to bring economic opportunity on the West Side of Chicago," said Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th Ward. "I look forward to working with the team and the Mayor's office as we go through a community process to make sure this proposed facility integrates seamlessly and productively into the surrounding neighborhood."

The Bulls plan to share with fans and the public additional information on the new practice facility, including updated renderings and other building details, as the project moves forward.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-...ed-center.html

**mvP to the Wee** · 11-16-2012, 11:15 PM

Certainly doesn't hurt.

thebizkit69u · 11-18-2012, 07:08 AM

Depending on what is built around the practice facility, I don't see how this helps the West Side at all. It would be cool to build some legit restaurants around that area in hopes that the players and or staff there can eat out, but if the new center comes equipped with its own catering then whats the point?

East on Madison is a war zone.

**jnrjr79** · 11-19-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebizkit69u

East on Madison is a war zone.

I believe you mean west.

Firefight · 11-20-2012, 04:14 PM

This is going to have zero effect on the neighborhood as far as economics are concerned.

That neighborhood is a generation away from any sort of rehab and revitalization.

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thebizkit69u · 11-20-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnrjr79

I believe you mean west.

LOL yeah, definitely. I don't know why I said East, East is nice, West not so nice.

thebizkit69u · 11-20-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefight

This is going to have zero effect on the neighborhood as far as economics are concerned.

That neighborhood is a generation away from any sort of rehab and revitalization.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using VerticalSports.Com App

Agreed.

The Ice House that is West of the UC hasn't done anything for that area, so I doubt the new practice facility will do anything. Like I said though, I hope it at least creates a couple of more Bars/Restaurants in the immediate area.

**jnrjr79** · 11-21-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebizkit69u

Agreed.

The Ice House that is West of the UC hasn't done anything for that area, so I doubt the new practice facility will do anything. Like I said though, I hope it at least creates a couple of more Bars/Restaurants in the immediate area.

It appears the plans are to have the new practice facility be just east of the UC. Some of the development has slowed in that area with the housing bust, but all in all, things are fairly decent all the way to Damen on thereabouts already. Another facility that's at Paulina-ish (1700 west), to me, doesn't do much to really change things. It's nice, but it's more west of Damen or Western that things really start to get a bit dicier, so I'm not sure the location of this facility really does anything to ameliorate that. It sure sounds like nice PR from Jerry, though! I'm sure helping the community was his primary motivation.

One presumes you'll see most of the Bulls players move to the city now rather than residing up by Lake Forest.

thebizkit69u · 11-21-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

One presumes you'll see most of the Bulls players move to the city now rather than residing up by Lake Forest.

I wonder if this will have some negative effects though.

yodurk · 11-22-2012, 11:05 AM

I like this alot. I've always felt like the Bulls are way too suburban considering the attractiveness of the city. In a strange way it has almost felt like the Berto's location disconnects the franchise from the city of Chicago. It also leads to the players buying homes an hour away from the UC. These are the little details that can make the Bulls franchise a more attractive place to play for. The proximity to spectacular lakefront condos certainly doesn't hurt.

**mvP to the Wee** · 11-26-2012, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebizkit69u

I wonder if this will have some negative effects though.

I see the contrary. Young people like living downtown and in the city. I don't think the fact that players had to live in the northern suburbs drove away free agents, but the chance to live right in the city can be used as a pitch. Like I said, this move can't hurt.

**jnrjr79** · 11-26-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvP to the Wee

I see the contrary. Young people like living downtown and in the city. I don't think the fact that players had to live in the northern suburbs drove away free agents, but the chance to live right in the city can be used as a pitch. Like I said, this move can't hurt.

It could be negative for the players' work ethic when they have a lot more distractions nearby, but in reality, these guys could all just pay a driver to take them downtown whenever, anyway, if they really want to party it up. I have to assume from a recruiting standpoint that it seems more exciting to be in the city for the younger players.

11-16-2012, 11:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
mvP to the Wee 1.7% Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 6,499 Rep Power: 2167028	Re: New Practice Facility Next to United Center Announced Certainly doesn't hurt.

11-18-2012, 07:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
thebizkit69u All-Star Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago Age: 29 Posts: 8,598 Rep Power: 821495	Re: New Practice Facility Next to United Center Announced Depending on what is built around the practice facility, I don't see how this helps the West Side at all. It would be cool to build some legit restaurants around that area in hopes that the players and or staff there can eat out, but if the new center comes equipped with its own catering then whats the point? East on Madison is a war zone.

11-22-2012, 11:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
yodurk All-Star Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 9,384 Rep Power: 1005485	Re: New Practice Facility Next to United Center Announced I like this alot. I've always felt like the Bulls are way too suburban considering the attractiveness of the city. In a strange way it has almost felt like the Berto's location disconnects the franchise from the city of Chicago. It also leads to the players buying homes an hour away from the UC. These are the little details that can make the Bulls franchise a more attractive place to play for. The proximity to spectacular lakefront condos certainly doesn't hurt.

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11-20-2012, 04:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Firefight Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 564 Rep Power: 167457	This is going to have zero effect on the neighborhood as far as economics are concerned. That neighborhood is a generation away from any sort of rehab and revitalization. Sent from my SGH-T999 using VerticalSports.Com App

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