The Cubs in June filed plans with the city to build a three-story building along Clark Street, just west of the 90-year-old ballpark, that would include retail space. The plan also includes renovations to the ballpark's bleacher section. The Cubs also have been seeking permission to add 2,000 seats to one of the smallest ballparks in the major leagues.

Cubs president and chief executive officer Andy MacPhail doubts the additional construction will damage the integrity of the ballpark, which engineers say has an effective age about half its actual age. "You want to be sure your principal core building can take it," MacPhail said at a Friday morning press conference, after the building department gave the team permission to host Friday afternoon's game. "We don't anticipate this will necessarily affect that."

Building department commissioner Stan Kaderbek was satisfied with the team's installation of protective netting under the upper deck and mezzanine levels as a precaution against further crumbling concrete.

MacPhail says the parent Tribune Co. has spent "millions and millions" in recent years to maintain the property at Clark and Addison streets. "We've been investing in this building year after year, and the number grows," he says. However, he rules out the idea of moving the team "in the near-term future" to a new facility.