Evanston OKs Northwestern's Ryan Field rebuild

The Evanston City Council voted yesterday to permit Northwestern Univ. to "rebuild Ryan Field and to allow up to six full capacity concerts a year there." The council voted 6-2 on the demolition and $800M rebuild of the stadium, and in a 5-4 vote -- with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss breaking a tie -- the council "approved a zoning change for the concerts, an issue that had generated controversy, particularly among residents near the stadium." Evanston and Northwestern have agreed to a 15-year "expanded benefits agreement with the city," starting next year, that will see annual payments of $3M "to a Good Neighbor Fund with adjustments along the Consumer Price Index for the first 10 years." Other benefits tied to the rebuild completion include "potential advanced ticket windows for residents, free movie nights and festivals and a mural on the southeast facade of the stadium" ( EVANSTON REVIEW, 11/21 ).