After a 15-hour hearing that spanned three separate meetings over five weeks, Evanston’s Land Use Commission voted 9-0 to recommend Northwestern University’s Ryan Field planned development on Wednesday night.
Crucially, though, the commission also voted 7-2 against recommending a zoning amendment that would allow the university to host up to six concerts a year at the new stadium when it opens in 2026.
“Our problem is that the site is located so close to a residential neighborhood,” said Commissioner Kristine Westerberg. “There are no good east to west streets to use. You do have good public transportation if you can get people to use it, and I think that’s still a big if. Right now, I just don’t think there’s enough information to say that there won’t be a negative impact. There seems to be far more potential that there will be a negative impact.”
Westerberg and the other commissioners who voted against the concerts provision frequently brought up what they saw as a lack of sufficient details and thought-out plans by Northwestern to mitigate traffic, parking and noise impacts from concerts on the surrounding community in north Evanston.
Commissioner Kiril Mirintchev also mentioned concerns with the “loose” wording of the zoning text amendment, which he said could lead to unintended negative consequences. And Commissioner Brian Johnson described the “net impact” of concerts across the neighborhood and the city as “a wash at best.”
Commissioners Myrna Arevalo and John Hewko, who cast the two votes in favor of concerts, said they saw a net positive benefit to the city from concerts. Arevalo commented that “music brings people together” and she predicted the noise and traffic impacts to the neighborhood would end up being less than what residents are anticipating.
Northwestern ‘disappointed’
“While we appreciate the commission’s support of the new stadium, we are disappointed in the commission’s non-binding recommendation of the complete project without concerts,” Hilary Hurd Anyaso, Northwestern’s director of media relations, said in a statement to the RoundTable after the vote. “However, we remain encouraged by the support of thousands of residents who support this project, and we are hopeful the City Council will vote to approve the new stadium in its entirety.”
The council has chosen to approve projects even with a negative recommendation from the Land Use Commission in the past, Anyaso said.
Reacting to the vote in the council chambers around midnight, David DeCarlo of the Most Livable City Association said he was encouraged the commissioners saw the concerts amendment as “a radical proposal to change the character not just of the surrounding community, but of Evanston as a whole.” He added he hoped all City Council members would watch Wednesday night’s commission deliberations and come to the same conclusion.
NU ‘will not move forward’ without concerts
Finishing Northwestern’s final pitch to the commission at the start of Wednesday’s last meeting, university community liaison Dave Davis said the proposals could make the city a “model” for how major developments can “move people out of poverty and to livable wages.”
Jobs created through stadium demolition, construction and operations will be union-wage jobs with an estimated minimum pay of $30 an hour, according to Davis.
He made clear, though, that the requested concerts are integral to rebuilding the stadium.
“The stadium project that as proposed is inextricably linked to the approval of a text amendment that permits a limited number of concerts,” Davis said. “This project cannot and will not move forward without this approval.”
After Northwestern’s representatives finished their closing statements, commissioners questioned them for two hours. When Hewko asked for confirmation that the university would walk away from the rebuild entirely without concerts, NU Chief Operating Officer Luke Figora said the “vision” for the new stadium is “contingent on our ability to do additional events there,” in part to help pay for approximately $3 million a year in facility maintenance.
Figora, Davis and several of Northwestern’s land use and urban planning consultants said they believe the stadium is “grossly underutilized” right now. University leadership and the Ryan family, which is funding much of the $800 million rebuild, are not prepared to go through with such a massive redevelopment without the ability to host more events, according to Figora.
Commissioner George Halik later asked whether the required annual maintenance could be funded from other sources, like Northwestern’s recent budget surplus, a new endowment or revenue from the school’s Big 10 TV contract. Land use attorney Katie Jahnke Dale from the firm DLA Piper responded that while important, finances aren’t the only motivation for the rebuild hinging on concerts.
“A lot of our supporters are excited about the concerts, they want us to have more concerts,” Jahnke Dale said. “In our discussions with donors and other people, other stakeholders, it’s not just about the money. It’s about activating this more than seven days a year,” referring to the current schedule for home football games.
In their subsequent deliberations, several commissioners said they found the university’s argument for needing concerts “unconvincing.” Some added that Northwestern could already host more community events and high school sports, for example, without asking for concerts.
Commission Chair Matt Rodgers later called it “laughable” to suggest the concerts were financially necessary for maintenance, and Commissioner Max Puchtel said he thinks centering that particular idea ultimately undermined NU’s argument.
“I felt uncomfortable by some of the arguments about why the university needs the concerts from a financial perspective,” Puchtel said. “I don’t find that compelling, and I kind of wish that that was never brought up, because I think it’s just distracted from the real benefits of what a concert would bring.”
Tense exchange
In a surprise move near the end of the night, Rodgers, after saying he did not support the concerts provision as written, put forth a modification to Northwestern’s zoning text amendment. His suggested move would have added language requiring a memorandum of understanding between the university and the city, which Northwestern has already committed to negotiating.
Rodgers then proposed striking many of the major details and event restrictions, including the limit of six concerts a year, arguing that all of those points should be part of the MOU and not written into city zoning law. “You’re trusting the city to do the right thing,” Hewko said, to which Rodgers responded “yes.”
Commissioner Jeanne Lindwall called that a “terrible idea,” while Puchtel said he was “not comfortable voting on this with it being presented to us at this late hour.”
Rodgers tried to sway his fellow commissioners by saying the MOU would be the “test” of whether the commission and the city got the negotiations right or wrong, and then they could revisit and revise the MOU over time. He also proposed a sound limit of 70 decibels for concert noise. “You’re still going to hear it,” Halik said.
“You’re going to hear it. You live in a city, George,” replied Rodgers. But his proposal failed 6-3, with only Arevalo, Hewko and Rodgers voting yes.
Then Northwestern’s original text amendment fell 7-2, with Rodgers joining the no votes.
NU’s proposals will now go to the Planning and Development Committee and the City Council for introduction, and then the City Council for final action. Land Use Commission’s recommendation is considered advisory; final authority on the matter rests with the council.
City Council is devoting much of its time for the next month to approving the city’s annual budget, so it’s unclear how soon the Ryan Field project might be on the agenda.
Mr. Harris, we differ in our views of rebuilding Ryan Field. I am a proponent who agrees with the independent analysis by Johnson Consulting that the potential for this project, with concerts, outweighs its negatives. You disagree. The way I always understood it to work in a democratic society is that citizens with opposing opinions were entitled, indeed encouraged, to express these opinions to elected officials who in turn are expected to exercise their best judgement on behalf of the public.
You should be pleased with the decision of the Land Use Commission. The arguments made by concert opponents were obviously convincing. You won. Yet, you use this opportunity not to engage others who might be inclined to join you, but to launch vitriolic, personal attacks against others who see this differently. The advice, “When you win, act like you’ve been there before,” is suitable here.
Peter Kelly is my husband. He is not a public figure and has no voting role in the Ryan Field matter regarding zoning or on city council. Like others, he exercised his right to peacefully express his opinion on a matter before public officials. He has not, nor would he ever, intimidate another private citizen for expressing an opinion that differs from his. Although I am biased, he’s the finest person I know.
I am sorry that your mother became ill. I’m sorry that she didn’t receive the coverage that you believed she deserved. However, your dubious statements about my husband’s role at BCBSA land as irrelevant, desperate and ill informed. He had absolutely nothing to do with any policy or coverage decisions, including those affecting your mother. Your suggestion to the contrary lands in the neighborhood of slander.
Public engagement ought to bring out the best of us. Both opponents and supporters of the stadium have cogent arguments to use that advance their views. Personal attacks on private citizens have no role in this debate.
I’m neutral to this fight.
Here are my thoughts as a new homeowner, a duplex owner.
NU talks up good paying union jobs. Those are temporary to build the stadium and are from the contractors, not new Evanston jobs. Those jobs are here now, they are just working on another project. How many good paying union jobs does NU provide. Scanning NU HR jobs postings, most entry level are about $20 hour, or less.
This can be Evanston’s casino. I mean the customers come fat with cash and NU will pick em clean before they leave, leaving nothing local Evanston business. You seen the local casinos: nothing but poverty all around, and the casino has $$$ out of their ears.
Rodgers’ last-minute move seemed shady. I hope Mayor Biss recognizes that moving the details, restrictions and parameters of a major zoning change to some loosey-goosey MOU — to be hashed out at a later date — will not fly. It’s not democratic, it’s not transparent, and it only underscores the growing sense that the City has been trying to tilt things in NU’s favor from the beginning.
There are already many venues within the NU campus for music festivals and concerts. The Bienen Music Complex, the Arts Circle, and other locations within the campus would have other available venues for music. The parking would be available on campus as well as at the garages in downtown Evanston. Northwestern’s proposal to have outdoor concerts of up to 35,000 people 1,500 feet from a major Level 1 Trauma Center at Northshore University Hospital is outrageous. The area around Ryan field is family oriented. Walk along Bryant Street north of Central, then turn left to walk further west along Livingston and the other peaceful streets of simple houses very close to the stadium. There are residents with infants, older children, seniors, people with health challenges. We put up with the 6 football games each autumn. Construction of a new stadium at Ryan Field with the addition of large live concerts is a very serious threat to the physical and mental well being of people in our immediate neighborhood, friends and their neighbors just north in Southeast Willamette and health care providers and their patients at Northshore University Hospital. The detriment to our physical and mental health would include sleep deprivation associated with noise intolerance, the inability to concentrate and focus, headaches and various cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, COPD and other respiratory problems.
What a strange meeting. I was surprised that NU did not have a crisper presentation. I think they did little to advance their cause, which was surprising given their ample resources. They fumbled the simplest of questions. My sense is that they knew Chair Rodgers was their ace in the hole-so to speak. His attempted end-round and attendant tantrum stood in stark contrast to the thoughtful questions and behavior demonstrated by commission members on both sides of the issue (and no Central Street and Howard Street are not the same-from the get go, Howard Street is 2 lanes both ways, whereas Central is one lane both ways.) Clearly, the path that he laid out is the one that the city and some of the council leadership will be proposing next. Chair Rodgers had obviously spent a great deal of time crafting his changes, and I am confident, had input from staff and council members. His bottom line seems to be, trust the city. Well, why do we need a commission if we are just going to trust the city?
Leslie McMillan Is 100% correct. Between that attempted shady maneuver at the close of the meeting and the former city lawyers move to strike the zone from the decree consent they are 100% working on a back room deal. How is it that we haven’t heard more about Mayor Biss and Luke Stowe’s knowledge and involvement in that court case? Would love to encourage some of the excellent reporters we have at the Roundtable and NU to look in to what’s been going on behind the scenes.
This was a preview to what is coming to City Council. Deal-making with NU, versus any concern about speaking with the opposition regarding concerts and the absolute need for a NEGOTIATED Community Benefits Agreement. The City of Evanston chooses instead to put its energy working to appease the largest landowner, a multi-billion dollar organization in town. An organization that has historically shown a very weak financial commitment to the real needs facing this community, and now we are to believe will support the initiatives they have never shown to care about before. This is an absolute disgrace.
I don’t understand how a city that is so progressive and leading the way on social justice issues can succumb to the arguments of self-interested homeowners. What is going to happen to property values when that eye sore remains empty and unused? What about the loss of good-paying jobs and the cash that would continue to circulate in our economy from those jobs? What about the empty storefronts that could be filled with businesses benefiting from more tourism?????
I am deeply disappointed in how this whole situation has been handled, and hope that the city council as a whole will see the bigger picture.
Linda, what good paying jobs are they offering and seriously how will the offering of concerts or not change those? As a black business owner here in Evanston I attended the talent fair that NU and Evanston hosted. Let me tell you – good luck getting a cent out of NU. They already have all the roles doled out to companies that are not local. I am talking the Construction team, design, architecture, hauling, demolition, concessions (a shady British company that is horrible to its workers none the less) etc none going to evanston people. Unless Beyonce’s tour buss makes a wrong turn and they let my 12 year old daughter fill in for her mark my words that no Evanstons business will see a dollar. Maybe they will have some cute little soul and smoke pop up or something but at this point are they even an evanston business?
If you and your chamber of commerce buddies want to help out why not try to encourage NU to see though on any of the jobs or mentorship programs they have started up in the past only to drop a minute later.
Matt Rodgers pulled a Jim Jordon at the end of the meeting, bullying his cohort of LUC members to vote on his amendment. After hurriedly reading his amendment, he was asked to distribute it in writing for others to consider. He did not and then forced a vote. Fortunately, it went down 7-3. Thanks to Commissioners Halik, Lindwall and Westerberg for their learned counsel, leadership, and for asking the hard questions that needed answers. Thanks also to Mr. Hewko. He voted in favor of the concerts but it was obvious, given his questions, he had fully studied the matter.
Agree. It was such a well run meeting. Then as it became obvious that most commissioners were very concerned with the application and the chair went rogue. His rewrite on the fly was kind of stunning, as well as his forcing the vote. Thankfully his flurry of misguided rhetoric went nowhere. Neighbors are grateful for our Commissioners hardwork and willingness to not be bullied by NU’s threats.
I’m a season ticket holder, and I want a new stadium, and could care less about the concerts.
What did come out was that the Ryans want the concerts, that is what the attorney for Northwestern said. It is surprising with their history of great and good philanthropy helping so many people that they now want to set about destroying the summer months for at least 1,000 residents within a half mile of the stadium, destroy their right to peaceful enjoyment of their neighborhoods. Zoning restrictions are about protecting real estate owners who purchased their homes, businesses, and buildings relying on the existing zonine code. The Northwestern team including the Ryans are ignoring the consequences to the area for everyone living, working and doing business within a half mile of the stadium and they are ignoring the mountain of evidence provided by the community as to the likely consequences of approving the zoning change.
It became evident last night that the proposed concerts are indeed inextricably linked to the physical design and business plan of the future stadium. Not to directly defray operating costs, but to ensure healthy season ticket and luxury suite sales. A topic never fully discussed across 15 hours of testimony: how many luxury suites currently exist today vs. proposed?
When the university states that donors, supporters, and stakeholders demand the concerts, it’s because they demand those events in order to be season ticket/suite holders.
Perhaps the future stadium, as currently designed, is just too grandiose to support only 6~7 home games a year?
Kyle, this is the answer 100%!
This stadium and the football program in general has always only been about courting and kissing up to the 1%. It’s clear in the way NU was making the cheerleaders attend wealthy alumni events at the stadium where on more than one occasion they were groped by attendees.