Amtrak yard Chicago Union Station could become part of a possible stadium development plan. The plan involves the prospective future owner of the Chicago White Sox.

Shore Capital Partners and the South Loop rail yard

As reported by Trains, a paywalled Crain’s Chicago Business report published today (Wednesday, March 18) says Shore Capital Partners is working to acquire the 47-acre Amtrak yard in the South Loop. The firm is the private equity company of Justin Ishbia, who is positioned to buy the White Sox.

Meanwhile, the property sits across the Chicago River from “The 78.” Also, the Chicago Fire has started work there on a new soccer stadium. The White Sox have also said they want a new ballpark there.

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At the same time, WGN-TV notes that Crain’s reported sources say Ishbia and Shore Capital are considering the Amtrak property as a possible site for a new baseball stadium. In addition, the land’s narrow dimensions raise questions about whether it would be suitable.

Amtrak yard Chicago Union Station and rail planning

In a short statement, Amtrak said only that it “is pursuing all available opportunities to deliver a larger and improved Midwest maintenance facility that would bring rail assets into a state of good repair, enable faster train turnarounds, and enhance on-time performance.” The railroad also pointed to information on its website about the Chicago Hub Improvement Program. Railway Supply has also covered the program. It envisions major improvements at Chicago Union Station and on the routes leading into and out of it.

Meanwhile, that broader plan includes a new maintenance facility. No location has been identified.

Also, much of the overall project remains unfunded. It was projected in 2024 to cost more than $1.1 billion. Separately, some improvements at Union Station have received funding, as previously covered by Trains.

Still, the High Speed Rail Alliance has said it opposes development of the parcel. The group says development there could make future rail improvements more difficult.

“We don’t know what’s needed on the south side of Union Station yet because no expansion plan has been put together,” Rick Harnish, the executive director of the alliance, told WBBM-TV. “So we need to preserve that land for future use.”

The 78, White Sox plans, and Ishbia’s role

Meanwhile, the exact direction for the Amtrak property has not been disclosed. A spokesman for Ishbia told The Athletic, the sports website owned by the New York Times, that Shore Capital Partners “is under contract to acquire the Amtrak rail yard and has begun early planning for a mixed-use development on the site.” He added that a Northwestern Medicine healthcare facility could be part of that development.

At the same time, a White Sox representative said in an email to The Athletic that the club’s focus “has been and continues to be solely on the potential of a new ballpark at The 78.” The team’s lease at its current South Side home, Rate Field, runs through 2029.

Still, Ishbia has signed a deal with current owner Jerry Reinsdorf to buy the franchise. He cannot exercise that option before 2029. Reinsdorf can delay the sale until 2034. Because of that arrangement, Ishbia has no role in the team’s current decision-making.

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