(CHICAGO) — The Bears have submitted paperwork with the Village of Arlington Heights to begin the demolition of Arlington International Racecourse.

But team officials stress it does not guarantee the Bears will build a football stadium on the 326-acre property.

The Bears still want property-tax certainty and for someone else to pay for infrastructure that surrounds the site, which will include hotels, restaurants and shops. The Bears have said they will not seek taxpayer money to fund the stadium itself.

First opened in 1927, the racetrack closed in September 2021. Four days later, the Bears — who were among those to bid on the Churchill Downs Inc. property — announced they had reached a purchase agreement for $197.2 million.

The Bears have played in Soldier Field since 1971 and have a lease that runs through 2033. They could pay to break it earlier.

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