Contractors broke ground on the $800 million Ryan Field football stadium at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, earlier this month, despite legal challenges from local residents who don’t want a new concert venue in their backyard.
A joint venture of New York City-based Turner Construction and Walsh Construction of Chicago is now at work building the new stadium, according to a July 11 new release, after months of demolition of the old venue. The new facility will emphasize a more intimate setting of just 35,000 seats instead of the nearly 47,000 of the old stadium.
But the 100% privately-funded facility, which benefited from a $480 million donation from Pat Ryan, the retired founder and CEO of insurance giant AON, still faces legal challenges.
Part of the reason for downsizing the original stadium comes from a desire to use the new venue for multiple events, such as women’s lacrosse games and concerts. But a group of residents has sued to block the project due to concerns over noise, parking and alcohol being served at the facility, according to local news outlet Patch.
After a judge dismissed three of the residents’ four counts in April, the group has filed an amended complaint, which named the university in addition to the city. A ruling is expected on the new complaint in August.
At the recent groundbreaking ceremony, officials praised that multi-use design.
“This state-of-the-art facility also will serve as a vibrant venue for the Evanston community, hosting community-oriented events such as winter festivals, family movie nights and youth sports events,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in the release.
That’s just one of the benefits that supporters listed in the groundbreaking release about the project. Others include $659 million in positive economic impact to Evanston and more than 2,900 jobs during the rebuild.
The facility is set to open in 2026 and will include a community park and public green spaces for residents to enjoy year-round, according to the release.
