The idea of a new White Sox stadium in the South Loop appears to be gaining momentum once again.
On Friday afternoon, the Urban Transportation Center at UIC hosted an Amtrak presentation outlining Justin Ishbia’s plans for the 14th Street Rail Yard. The session focused on the potential acquisition and what it could mean long-term for both Amtrak and the Chicago White Sox.
As previously reported in March, Ishbia and his private equity firm were nearing a deal to purchase a 47-acre rail yard across the Chicago River from “The 78,” a site that had been rumored for a new stadium. According to Friday’s presentation, Amtrak made it clear they are actively looking to vacate the 14th Street Yard, describing it as “too small, inefficient, and difficult to modernize.” With operations spread out and constrained, the company is aiming to consolidate elsewhere.
Amtrak stated that in August 2025, they were approached by Ishbia of Shore Capital Partners, now branded as Canal Edge, about acquiring the site for commercial development. As part of the proposal, Canal Edge hired WSP to help design replacement rail facilities at the Canal Street Yard near Rate Field, as well as at the south end of 14th Street. These new facilities would replace all operations currently located north of the St. Charles Air Line. The plan also includes private financing and loans to accelerate construction and relocation, ultimately freeing up land for potential stadium use.
Under this proposal, the Canal Street Yard would become the primary replacement site. Amtrak is currently negotiating with Union Pacific Railroad, a process it described as “going well.” The goal is to begin using the Canal Street Yard by fall 2026, with further expansion planned near Rate Field and its surrounding lots, should the White Sox move to the South Loop.
The land release plan for all of this is divided into two phases:
- Phase 1: Amtrak relocates operations out of the northern portion of the 14th Street Yard. The land is then transferred to Ishbia, forming what would likely be the footprint for a new White Sox stadium.
- Phase 2: Amtrak continues operating out of a smaller section of the south yard temporarily before fully relocating. This would free up the remainder of the site as part of Ishbia’s longer-term development plan, while also allowing for potential rail expansion into the current Rate Field area if the team relocates.
This leaves the timeline as follows:
- Canal Yard deal and early use targeted for Fall 2026
- Rail relocation and new facilities through the late 2020s
- Land begins freeing up roughly 2027-2029
For the White Sox, the key takeaways are clear. This is not simply a land sale, but a coordinated rail relocation and redevelopment effort. The Phase 1 land aligns with a realistic stadium footprint, and the timeline points toward a potential stadium development in the early 2030s. With Ishbia actively working to resolve rail constraints and finance new infrastructure, it’s increasingly evident that he is serious about moving the team to the South Loop.
To better visualize this plan, here are slides from Friday’s presentation, courtesy of CHGO.
As a reminder, the White Sox’s current lease at Rate Field runs through the end of the 2028 season. There is still significant work to be done before anything like this moves from concept to reality, though this plan does appear more concrete than previous proposals tied to “The 78.” For now, these early Comiskey-like renderings simply offer a glimpse of what could eventually take shape.
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Featured Photo: Amtrak
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This will not work in Chicago. Too many regulations and rules. Nashville is dealing $$$ and looking for a team. The Sox show interest, do not be surprised when the moving trucks show up.
Sorry to disappoint, Bob, but a Nashville move isn’t happening.