Chicago’s Chinatown residents speak out against proposed new stadium

Chicago’s Chinatown residents are pushing back against plans for a new Chicago Fire soccer stadium, voicing concerns at a July 30 town hall that the nearby $7 billion development could lead to gentrification and displacement of their community.

About the plan: The proposed $650 million soccer stadium would seat 22,000 fans and serve as the anchor tenant for The 78, a development along the south branch of the Chicago River. Fire owner Joe Mansueto would privately fund the soccer-only stadium, slated to open ahead of the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with construction potentially beginning in fall 2025 or early 2026. Critics say there have been no discussions between developer Related Midwest and Chinatown community members about their concerns.

What they’re saying: At the town hall, residents voiced fears about rapid property value increases and long-term community impacts. “This is going to affect all of us. Not just in the next couple of years but, really, for generations to come,” Yu Jing Chen, founder of the Teen Coalition for Chinatown, told the Chicago Tribune. Grace Chan McKibben, executive director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, emphasized the stakes. “We want to keep Chinatown as a legacy — businesses as well as long-term residents. We’d like to keep folks as much as possible,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Residents also expressed practical concerns, with one telling NBC Chicago, “We’re struggling with housing, and the next thing is parking. We don’t have enough parking spots.” Community members also worry about environmental impacts to Ping Tom Memorial Park, which organizers say has served as a cultural foundation for multiple generations of families.

Why this matters: The opposition reflects broader concerns about Asian American communities facing displacement from sports developments. Most recently, Philadelphia’s Chinatown successfully fought off the 76ers’ $1.3 billion arena plan after the No Arena Coalition mobilized protests and challenged the project in public hearings, with the team ultimately abandoning the project in January.

What’s next: The Ping Tom Park Advisory Council has invited Related Midwest to its Aug. 6 community meeting, while Aldermen Nicole Lee and Pat Dowell are coordinating a separate meeting to hear more Chinatown resident concerns. Related Midwest said it has received “overwhelming support” for the project and looks forward to continuing dialogue with community members.