Since Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire, opened in June 2006 it has helped put Bridgeview on the map by becoming a dependable economic engine for the near southwest suburbs. Besides Firegames, the venue hosts concerts for such acts as Jimmy Buffett, Eric Clapton and Phish.
“I think it established the Southland, theentire South Side as a destination,” said Mayor Steven Landek. “I think it shows that we can bring economically viable alternatives to industry. It’s all been good for the economicvitality of the area.”
The Fire, whose attendance dipped to 14,688 last year, attracted 20,276 for its 2010 opener, a 2-1 loss to San Jose. A Bridgeview spokesman said sales tax revenueattributed to the stadium jumped 8 percent between 2005 and 2007. Revenue dropped 13 percent last year due to lower attendance and the economic slump, but in some nearby communities the declineswere up to 30 percent. Toyota Park hosts more than 50 events and draws around 500,000 people a year.
It offers full-time employment for 70, part-time work for 250 to 400 more on gamedays and up to 1,000 for concerts. An estimated $20 million in federal stimulus funds will be used to build an underpass and unsnarl freight-train traffic delays on 71st in a project expected tostart this fall.