(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some neighbors of Northwestern University are banding together to object to the school’s $800 million plan for rebuilding Ryan Field.
David DeCarlo helped found a group calling itself the Most Livable City Association after he and other residents felt the university’s community meetings were more performative than an exchange of ideas.
The group objects to the proposal to add a dozen concerts a year and the sale of alcohol and said it will turn the residential neighborhood into Wrigleyville.
Northwestern touted the fact that no tax dollars will go to replace the nearly century-old stadium, which will have 12,000 fewer seats than the current space.
Business owner Lynn Bednar said she worries more people coming to the stadium will mean less parking and more congestion on Central Street in front of her store Walsh Natural Health.
“If people can’t get to us, they can’t spend money at our stores,” Bednar said. “Just knowing from the football games what happens, it takes up our entire parking, people stay away, and with the advent of the internet, of course, you lose that business permanently.”
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A Northwestern spokesman said the school’s relationship with neighbors is of the utmost importance, and they’ll continue to hold community meetings throughout the design and construction process.
Jon Yates, with the university, told WBBM community input has already driven several design elements — including a canopy to address noise and light pollution at the stadium.
DeCarlo said his group plans to fight the proposals before the Evanston Liquor Control Board and Land Use Commission, where they’ll argue the tax-exempt university is trying to host for-profit events at a venue in between the size of the United Center and Wrigley Field.
Yates said 12 events, plus seven football games, would take up less than 5% of the calendar year, and he added the university is not trying to turn Evanston into Wrigleyville.
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