By [Patrick Finley](https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/patrick-finley)
An aerial view of the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2023. The Chicago Bears purchased the 326-acre site for over $197 million back in February. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times
Predictably and officially, the Bears have turned their stadium attention back to Arlington Heights.
Less than two months after the team switched its public messaging to reflect that their sole focus was no longer on building a downtown stadium, it went a step further Friday.
In a statement, the Bears said they were focused on building on the 326-acre property they own in Arlington Heights.
“Over the last few months, we have made significant progress with the leaders in Arlington Heights, and look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders on making a transformative economic development project for the region a reality,” the team said in a statement.
At the NFL’s annual meeting in March 2024, president/CEO Kevin Warren said that building on the lakefront site adjacent to Soldier Field gave the team the “best opportunity for success.” A month later, they unveiled plans for the $4.7 museum campus project.
The tonal change at the same annual meetings this March, though, made it clear that the Bears consider Arlington Heights to be the best path forward.
The Bears will ask for no public funding for the stadium itself in Arlington Heights, as opposed to the Lakefront property. Instead, they want public money to be used for infrastructure improvements in Arlington Heights.
A property tax certainty has made the former Arlington International Racecourse more attractive since the village board passed changes in December.