Evanston residents are concerned about Northwestern’s Ryan Field proposal

Evanston residents voiced concerns at a recent meeting hosted by City Councilwoman Eleanor Revel about how Northwest a new offering by Ryan Field may influence the culture of the area, saying it may resemble the Wrigleyville area of ​​Chicago.

Wrigleyville is known for its Cubs games and bars, and residents are concerned that allowing more events and concerts on the field will disrupt the neighborhood.

The proposed amendment is expected to expand the venue’s seating privileges to 12 community and cultural events — including concerts, allow outside event sponsors and increase capacity by 25,000. According to Northwestern University’s presentation, current policy allows the stadium to host a maximum of seven community events per year with a capacity of 10,000.

“Right now we have several football games a year that have 35,000 or more fans and you’re proposing (a total of 12 additional events) with 35,000 people. At some point (there is) a point where the line crosses and the neighborhood changes,” resident John Labbe said. “I mean, Wrigley Field is a different type of stadium, a different type of area.”

Northwestern’s executive director of neighborhood and community relations, Dave Davis, said the project won’t have a significant impact on the area’s culture because events will mostly be held at certain times of the year.

“It’s not going to be a dome, it’s going to be a canopy structure, and so (events won’t be held year-round, but will be) for about seven months,” Davis said. “(At) 12 events, we’re looking at one or maybe two events a month.”

Despite Davis’ assurances, residents are concerned about how the concerts could disturb nearby residents. Northwestern Project Manager Stephen Himes, who also worked on the 2018 renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena, said the stadium’s design will help curb noise.

“The stadium will have partial facades that are partially enclosed on its vertical surfaces — not completely, but partially — and then there’s a 360-degree canopy that extends around the perimeter above the seating that will help reflect sound into the stadium to contain that sound,” said Himes.

Ryan Field currently holds 47,130 for all events. The new stadium will have a capacity of 35,000 for all events, around 15,000 below the the next smallest stadium in the Big Ten Conference.

The text of the amendment has various hurdles to navigate before gaining city approval. Northwestern will submit the application to city staff for review and permission to go before the city council’s Land Use Commission and Planning and Development Committee, according to Northwestern University’s presentation. After approval by these two bodies, it goes to the city council.

Public comment will be available throughout the process at each stage.

The text amendment process is expected to begin in the winter of 2022 and be completed in 2023, according to Northwestern’s expected timeline.

The presentation indicated that Northwestern will submit an application for planned development. City staff will review the proposed plans to determine what city code changes will be needed. Following the City’s review, there will be a design and design review where City staff will provide additional comments on the proposed project. It will then be presented to the land use commission and planning and development committee before moving to the city council. The anticipated budget outlines that process, which begins in the winter of 2022 and continues through the summer of 2023, with public input heard by both committees and the City Council.

Northwestern University’s presentation said the university wants to enhance the event experience for its attendees through concessions and alcohol sales. This will require an updated liquor license application that must be approved by the city. According to the presentation, the license would go through the Liquor Control Board, the Administration and Public Works Committee and the City Council with public input allowed by all three entities.

“One of the areas we want to improve on is providing our guests with better food and beverage and amenities,” said Dani Barakata, Northwestern’s associate director of athletics. “Alcohol and the offer of alcohol in all our venues is an area we intend to improve not only for our premium ticket holders but also for all fans in the general areas.”

Revelle plans to host a series of Ryan Field meetings that will be promoted in the 7th ward newsletter.

Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter for the Pioneer Press.