(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Evanston City Council is expected to make a big vote Monday night over a $800 million redevelopment project at Northwestern’s Ryan Field.
The vote will be on three ordinances: one for stadium reconstruction, another for rezoning the site to allow for concerts and a third authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the City and Northwestern University.
Opposition has remained high, with residents packing town hall meetings. Increased traffic in the area has been a concern, but those in favor of the plan have said concerts at the stadium could bring in a big revenue for the city.
Before the vote over all three ordinances was postponed last week, first-term Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss was expected to cast the deciding vote with a City Council that has, so far, been split on the issue.
Biss previously cast a tie-breaking vote needed just to bring the concert ordinance to the final City Council vote. That October meeting lasted eight hours. Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett was among those who spoke against allowing concerts.
“Wilmette remains steadfast in its opposition to any number of concerts in the middle of a residential neighborhood,” she stated.
Although Biss won in 2021 with a resounding victory, his support of the Ryan Field redevelopment could change things.
Monday night’s special City Council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to watch the meeting via Zoom can be found here.
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