I am writing as a longtime resident of the Seventh ward and a proud Evanstonian. I grew up in the Seventh ward and 10 years ago moved my family from Boston to Evanston so my children could be raised in this vibrant university community.
My husband and I are not employed by Northwestern, we are not Northwestern alumni and our family members did not attend Northwestern. We have bought two homes within spitting distance of the stadium and currently live in one of the four homes that are adjacent to the stadium. When we bought our current house in 2019, we fully accepted the risks and the benefits of having Ryan Field, Welsh Ryan arena, the softball and baseball fields as our direct neighbors.
My biggest fear for our community and the alderpersons that represent us is that we fall complacent to the easier path of anchoring in the old arguments of Evanston vs. Northwestern in response to the unveiling of the plans for the new Ryan Field.
I understand there are longstanding residents who have felt wronged by past Northwestern projects. While I don’t share that experience, I appreciate the apprehension and concern brought to planning sessions and I’d also hope this project can represent another chance to build goodwill.
I also appreciate that we have new leaders at Northwestern that are delivering on their commitment to provide a transparent process, including community input, and have formed a working group which includes residents that represent a diverse set of viewpoints. Many of the initial concerns brought forward have been addressed in the preliminary plans. The stadium footprint is smaller, with a new canopy designed to contain lighting and noise. The initial plan reveals green space, park settings, additional parking with drainage technology and a walking path with landscaping to provide an additional buffer to those residents directly adjacent to the new venue (thank you). And yet, we still have important work to do.
For good reason, the biggest sticking point is the potential addition of several concerts to the new outdoor stadium. Instead of rejecting this proposal out of hand, I’d strongly urge my neighbors and fellow community members to come to the table to listen and learn about what this could mean for Evanston through ticket sales and tax revenue, as well as how such concerts can positively impact local vendors and businesses. Yes, it’s easier to sit on the sidelines, not speak up, or complain, but we all win when residents act like decent human beings and contribute to the conversation and bring a solution-oriented mindset.
Instead of leading with “no,” let’s put our energy into coming together and crafting our asks of Northwestern. Let’s recommend the parameters that we, the community, would want to see in place that will make this a win for Evanston. It might not be perfect yet but let’s work together to get it closer to what we want. We should be looking hard at ways for this opportunity to benefit neighbors, the broader community and the university. It can and it should, but only if we work together.
Peggy Philip Baxter
Hi Peggy,
I wholeheartedly share your sentiments. Thank you for expressing them. I did not grow up in Evanston, but I chose to buy a home in Evanston for many of the same reasons you chose to move back to Evanston. Like everywhere, Evanston has its share of NIMBYs trying to encase the city in amber and preventing change at all costs. But there are also so many Evanstonians who embrace change and see within it an opportunity to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the city. When I think about this stadium proposal I think about all of the empty store fronts along Central Street and in the downtown. And, in the aftermath of the pandemic, these commercial districts are in even greater need of customers. This stadium proposal presents economic opportunity, both in terms of more customers, but also in terms of more employment opportunities for nearby residents. Moreover, the stadium proposal offers something more than football, however important that may be to many people in Evanston. It offers us a new music and cultural events space, and that is something I definitely would like to see happen.
Let’s ask (I suspect many believe entirely unrelated! I don’t!), just what is Northwestern’s stance on PR0-CHOICE?
Might they not perhaps consider using alumni funds to support this very important issue ALONG with the building of a new stadium, that is REBUILDING what is right and just?