By Rodrigo Hernandez
The Chicago City Council recently approved the Surge Esports Arena, a $30 million, 108,000-square-foot video gaming stadium that will hold more than 1,000 spectators, at 2500-2548 S. Wabash Ave. The developer’s site plans also include restaurants and corporate offices.
The arena will host ticketed esports events during evenings and weekends, with players moving around the building in virtual reality. The audience will watch a screen to see players compete. The public also can rent space for events featuring virtual reality. The owners expect to add restaurant and bar service and hope to broadcast some events.
The project is the brainchild of Smash Interactive LLC CEO Scott Greenberg and his partner, Chris Lai.
Greenberg and Lai have pledged to create the Bronzeville Esports League with local elementary and high schools and want to partner with the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Bonnie Sanchez-Carlson, president and executive director of the Near South Planning Board, believes the arena will give a positive economic boost to both the community and the city as a whole. She also envisions it offering educational opportunities for the Near South Side. “If this is truly successful, we may see various educational institutions gain new curricula and new career paths for students,” Sanchez-Carlson said.
Added investments
The venue also could help by “engaging Illinois Tech, DePaul, or others from surrounding communities including offering employment opportunities to local residents,” said Sanchez-Carlson. “And to me, it would bring added investments to the area with the number of visitors proposed coming to the neighborhood and hopefully visiting the Motor Row area and its businesses.
“We know that there’s good public transportation in the neighborhood,” she continued. “However, we need to make sure that there’s also adequate parking and the traffic flow works well in and out of the site.” Sanchez-Carlson emphasized the need for Surge “to be good neighbors.”
Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell believes the arena’s importance will extend beyond the neighborhood. “I think the impact is not just a community impact,” said Dowell. “It’s an impact for the entire city of Chicago because this Surge arena has the ability to put esports and virtual entertainment on the map in Chicago.
“I think this is the first such facility in the city, and it has the potential to be not only a hub for our city but also an attraction internationally,” added Dowell, who lauded Greenberg and Lai’s efforts. “They have agreed to connect young people from the community to this facility through the creation of the Bronzeville Esports League, and I think it is very important to expose young people from my community who may not have familiarity with this industry to the potential employment and gaming development opportunities.” She characterized the video gaming industry as “huge, and it’s growing.”
Dowell believes the development will fare well after the pandemic. “I think post-COVID-19, there will be a high occupancy for this facility, where you can have professional video game competitions and virtual tournaments that will attract millions of people. And I am very excited about a $30 million investment in the ward.”
For Dowell, visit http://ward03chicago.com/alderman-dowell/ or call (773) 373-9273. The Near South Planning Board can be reached at (312) 987-1980. For Smash Interactive, call (847) 229-9200.