Dive Brief:
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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday snuffed out a plan by the Chicago Cubs to finish an extensive renovation of Wrigley Field by Opening Day by having construction crews work around the clock to get the job done.
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Emanuel, who has allowed the baseball franchise several other concessions as it refurbishes the 101-year-old stadium, first refused to approve the 24-hour shifts and then declined a follow-up request from the team to work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Emanuel said a city ordinance limits building to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Cubs owners said harsh winter weather slowed progress on the $575 million renovation.
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The Chicago Sun Times reported that the mayor already approved more night games and additional stadium signs, which angered nearby homeowners. Emanuel also pushed the city’s aldermen to allow the Cubs to build a hotel and an office building near Wrigley Field.
Dive Insight:
The Cubs’ misfortune could be more the result of bad timing than anything else. Emanuel is fighting for re-election in a neck-and-neck runoff that will be decided by voters two days after Opening Day. His decision to nix the overnight work reportedly placated the stadium’s residential neighbors, who are unhappy with the prior concessions and opposed to the late-night noise that round-the-clock construction would impose.