The first of what is expected to be multiple meetings of the Evanston Land Use Commission saw Northwestern University present its proposed plan for the $800 million rebuild of Ryan Field while several local groups pushed back against the plans.
Northwestern University’s proposed $800 million rebuild of its nearly 100-year-old Ryan Field in Evanston has finally reached the city’s Land Use Commission after neighboring residents have voiced objections for months regarding plans to also use the field as a concert venue.
Consultant Michael Godoy, senior director of the sports management firm CAA ICON, was brought in by Northwestern and told the commission the size of the field and its construction wouldn’t allow for large mega concerts such as those booked at Soldier Field or Wrigley Field. Performers at Ryan Field would be “escalator acts,” which he described as those whose stardom is rising or falling, and wouldn’t include big acts such as Taylor Swift.
Land Use Commission Chair Matt Rodgers questioned whether the field rebuild could be viable without hosting concerts, since one option before the commission is to recommend the rebuild but not permit concerts on site. Peter Lemmon, a Northwestern transportation engineer, told commissioners shuttle buses would be used to help bring ticket holders from downtown Evanston and university parking lots to Ryan Field to accommodate the extra parking that would be needed beyond the planned 1,408 presold, on-site parking spots. Twelve manually controlled intersections along with police presence and public transportation via the CTA Purple Line would also help minimize traffic, according to Lemmon.
Others presenting in opposition to the proposed plan included the Central Street Neighbors Association, Most Livable City Association, the Community Alliance for Better Government and Wilmette resident Steven Harper.
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