Soldier Field May Get a Dome

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled a surprise plan for a $395-million conversion of Soldier Field that would add a retractable dome over the stadium where the Chicago Bears play.

Daley previewed his plan for Gov. Jim Edgar and Bear President Michael McCaskey only hours before presenting it publicly. He said it was aimed at resolving the often bitter differences the three men have had on a new stadium.

Both Edgar and McCaskey said they needed to examine the plan more closely, but their responses suggested that for the first time the three men have found some common ground. No timetable was set for the plan; construction would take three years during off-seasons.

“I’m more than willing to take a look at his proposal and see if it’s doable and he’s indicated he’s willing to take a look at other options too,” Edgar said.

In February, Edgar proposed a $465-million project that would add a 72,000-seat domed stadium and expand McCormick Place. The plan got a cold shoulder from McCaskey and Daley.

Last year, Edgar and McCaskey rejected Daley’s proposal to renovate the stadium.

This plan is essentially the same, with a few major additions. The centerpiece is a dome, made of steel and translucent plastic, that would slide over the top of the grass playing field in bad weather.

Daley and construction officials said there is no other retractable roof like it in sports stadiums.

The dome would also turn the stadium into an enclosed, climate-controlled facility for conventions and other events, such as college basketball’s Final Four tournament. Enclosed walkways would connect the stadium with the McCormick Place convention center on the Lake Michigan waterfront.

Daley said the renovation would be financed with $175 million from the Bears, $160 million in taxes on hotel stays and restaurant meals in Chicago, and $60 million from Soldier Field revenue bonds. Ticket sales and other revenue from Bears games would pay off the bonds and the Bears’ portion of the funding.

The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field expires after the 1999 season, and McCaskey has threatened to leave Chicago after that if the aging stadium isn’t replaced.

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Linebacker Gary Plummer is ready to return to the San Francisco 49ers after sitting out the first two games while recovering from a broken left wrist.

Plummer worked with the first-team defense at practice this week, and will be back in action Sept. 22 against Carolina after San Francisco’s bye week.

“We’re counting on his playing in this game,” Coach George Seifert said. “Now, whether he’s able to play the whole game or not remains to be seen.”

Plummer suffered the wrist fracture in the exhibition opener against Denver, and the injury brought an end to his playing streak of 133 consecutive regular-season games dating to 1987, when he was with San Diego.

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Bear linebacker Vinson Smith says his aggressiveness won’t be affected by his third fine in three seasons, the latest for a rough hit during an exhibition game.

“I can’t let it affect the way I play,” Smith said. “Any time you lose money, it’s disappointing. It hurts.”

Smith was fined $5,000 for a hit on Kansas City running back Greg Hill on Aug. 22. Gene Washington, the NFL’s director of football development, ruled the play by Smith “unnecessary roughness,” although no penalty was called and Hill was not hurt.

In 1994, Smith was fined $8,000 for fighting with Tampa Bay’s Tyji Armstrong. Last year he was fined $12,000 for a hit on St. Louis quarterback Chris Miller.