Friday, February 6, 2026 | View in browser
Dear Residents,
A couple of weeks ago, Northwestern informed me that their project was behind schedule and requested extended construction hours. My immediate response was to ask why the City of Evanston should allow this request.
For context, the chart below outlines the construction hours associated with the Ryan Field project. The “By Ordinance” column reflects the hours Northwestern is permitted to work as a matter of right. This is not Northwestern’s first request for expanded work hours. In May 2025, Northwestern requested (and was granted) expanded work hours and committed to limiting activity between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. to “quiet” work only. To their credit, work conducted after 7 p.m. has largely been quiet and has generated very few complaints.
Northwestern's most recent request is reflected in the “New Proposal” column below.
 *Activities from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. can only be minimally disruptive work
Unfortunately, the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) was not well negotiated: something I was vocal about before being elected. As a result, it includes the following provision:
For a period of fifteen (15) years commencing in the year of completion of the newly rebuilt Ryan Field:
Guarantee at least $2,500,000 in tax revenue from liquor and amusement taxes collected directly from all events held at Ryan Field.
In practical terms, this means the City is guaranteed $2.5 million in revenue from Northwestern only if the stadium is completed. While the full contract language is more nuanced (and it is likely the City would still receive approximately $500,000 even if construction were delayed), this would still result in a $2 million shortfall. The City was expecting construction to be completed this year and built its budget around that expectation and associated funding.
In considering how to respond to Northwestern’s request, resident comfort weighed heavily. As noted above, we have received very few complaints related to late-night construction activity. Additionally, exterior work is nearly complete, and the project has largely shifted to interior work, which is expected to be quieter and less disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood. I also considered the benefit of completing construction sooner rather than later.
That said, I still believed the request could pose an imposition on residents. As a result, I worked with the City Manager and Northwestern to negotiate a compromise that would meaningfully “pay back” that inconvenience. The outcome was a reduction in the number of events permitted at Ryan Field during its first year of operation. Specifically, instead of allowing up to 60 event days with attendance under 7,500, Northwestern agreed to limit events to 45 days during the first year. In addition, Northwestern committed to offering a number of summer camp vouchers to Evanston residents. Finally, Northwestern has guaranteed that it will pay the City the $2.5 million this year regardless of whether construction is completed this year.
Moving forward, we have made clear to Northwestern that these allowances are conditional and may be retracted if construction activity becomes more disruptive than anticipated or if agreed-upon conditions are not strictly followed.
With these commitments in place, I approved the request for extended construction hours. This was not an easy decision, and it is not one I would have supported absent clear limits on impacts to residents and meaningful concessions in return. My expectation is that Northwestern will adhere strictly to the agreed-upon conditions, and I will continue to closely monitor the project to ensure that resident concerns remain front and center.
*The views expressed are those of Councilmember Davis and not necessarily those of the City of Evanston.
Parielle Davis
Councilmember, 7th Ward
847-859-9261
parielledavis@cityofevanston.org
www.cityofevanston.org
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