New York Times (blog) - by Ben Strauss

Baseball’s two oldest and most iconic ballparks are on divergent paths when it comes to recognizing their historic status. After a decade of renovations, Boston’s Fenway Park is hurtling toward federal landmark recognition — and the tax credits that come with it. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Cubs contend that Wrigley Field’s local landmark designation is a roadblock to upgrading the stadium and increasing revenue.

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Historical Commission unanimously voted to approve Fenway’s application for a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. That sends the nomination to the National Park Service for a final decision that could come as soon as early 2012.

Barring an unexpected turn of events, Fenway should have no trouble clearing the final hurdle.

“We rarely overturn anything supported locally,“ said Patrick Andrus, a historian at the National Register.

Between 2002 and 2011 the Red Sox spent approximately $285 million to refurbish and upgrade their stadium, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. Should the listing be approved, Red Sox ownership would be in line for a handsome centennial gift: a 20 percent investment tax credit on the work done to preserve the park.

Over in Wrigleyville, the Cubs say they are hamstrung by a City Council decision to give landmark designation to parts of 97-year-old Wrigley — including the marquee, ivy, scoreboard, and bleachers. Not only does the local distinction not come with federal tax dollars, but the Cubs say the landmark status is a factor in their failure to follow the Fenway rebuilding model.

“If you’re going to restore and maintain the facility, you’re going to have to take parts of it down and rebuild it,’’ the Cubs’ president of business operations, Crane Kenney, said in 2008. “Landmarking authorization doesn’t let you do that.”

The Cubs need consent from the City Council for both large and small projects. That has included approval to add nearly 2,000 bleacher seats for the 2006 season and to install a large Toyota sign behind the left-field bleachers in 2010. But an agreement on a full-scale Fenway-style makeover has yet to be reached, as the Cubs continue to negotiate with the city and state over public funding.

Other problems also persist, say the Cubs. Their internal calculations found the team loses out on $30 million annually because sponsors can’t display advertisements on the hand-operated center-field scoreboard or ivy-covered outfield walls.

While Fenway is not officially a local landmark, ownership submitted all renovation plans to the Boston Landmarks Commission for review. The team has received around $11 million in tax credits from the Massachusetts Historical Commission over the course of the construction work, and now that the face lift is complete the Red Sox may soon be able to recoup more of their spending.

“Current ownership has done a terrific job,” said Sarah Kelly, a supporter of Fenway’s listing in the National Register and the executive director of the Boston Preservation Alliance.

“They’ve made the improvements while maintaining the historic character, so I’m thrilled with the state of the park.”

A team spokesman said the Cubs have discussed a listing in the National Register, but will not pursue it until after Wrigley has been renovated.

Should the Cubs seek to be listed, the process could be a quick one depending on potential changes to the ballpark. The National Park Service deemed Wrigley eligible for inclusion in 1987.