This article first appeared in Evanston Roundtable on November 13, 2023.

Northwestern spread two false narratives framing the most consequential issue in Evanston’s history. The Evanston Land Use Commission exposed and exploded the first. The other endures.

“We Need the Money – Really, We Do”

The first whopper was Northwestern’s claim that it needed $2 million expected from six concerts to make the new Ryan Field financially viable. In the ensuing discussion, the university’s more than $14 billion endowment had nowhere to hide.

Evanston’s Land Use commissioners had a few choice words describing NU’s absurd suggestion: “unconvincing,” “unfortunate,” “not credible.” Even Commission Chair Matt Rodgers, Northwestern’s ally who floated a last-minute proposal aimed at salvaging the university’s zoning change as it went down in flames, found NU’s assertion “laughable.”

“Come on – It’s Only Six Concerts”

But the second narrative has not only survived, but also dominated the media coverage of the new stadium: Northwestern wants “only” six concerts.

That’s incorrect. Northwestern wants 66.

Here’s the pertinent language from its proposed text amendment:

“Outdoor lectures, speakers, non-musical festivals, social events and other community or cultural events, and musical performances in conjunction or associated with the foregoing (which shall require loudspeaker permits from the City for any noise amplification), hosted by the University or City and designed for the University or local community, provided that the capacity for such events is no greater than 7,500, and no more than 60 days of programming occurs annually.” (Emphasis supplied)

To put Northwestern’s request in perspective:

• The seating capacity of Welsh-Ryan Arena is 7,500.
• The UIC Pavilion can seat 10,000 people.
• The Aragon Ballroom capacity is 4,500.
• Ravinia’s pavilion has a seating capacity of 3,000.

Describing Northwestern’s 60 events as “smaller” ignores the fact that as a stand-alone music venue, it would be one of the largest in the Chicago area. The events are “small” only when compared to Wrigley Field (42,000), the United Center (23,500), and the new Ryan Field. (35,000).

“Ignore the Problem and It Will Go Away”

At the Land Use Commission hearing, the undisputed evidence submitted by an acoustic expert established that noise pollution from musical performances outside the proposed stadium could be worse than the noise generated from concerts inside the stadium.

That’s because large touring acts that would play inside the stadium bring their own sound equipment. They use sophisticated line array loudspeaker systems that better direct sound to audience members. The acts that would likely perform before smaller but still significant crowds of up to 7,500 people outside the new stadium often use cluster loudspeaker systems. Typically, those speakers sit on each side of the stage and blast out music indiscriminately to the fans. 

Chicago weather will require all concerts – the six and the 60 – to occur over a 15-week period from late spring to early fall. 

That’s four events outside the stadium every week.

Plus a mega-concert inside the stadium every two-and-one-half weeks.

And anyone who believes that Northwestern will stop at six mega-concerts hasn’t followed the saga of Wrigley Field. In 1988, the Cubs started with 18 night games. They now host 43 “night events.”

Six concerts at the new Ryan Field? It’s not just a deflection that hides the real number – 66. It’s a Trojan Horse and a distraction from what is really happening: Northwestern seeks to create a massive, summer-long performance entertainment venue.

“Wow! That’s a Lot of Money”

On October 30, Northwestern launched its newest false narrative – that it’s offering the city of Evanston $100 million in return for the zoning changes it seeks. Fortunately, the media took a closer look at that one – and it collapsed under the weight of a straightforward analysis. Most of the money NU has offered is either not new, illusory, voluntary, remains within NU’s control, or is someone else’s – including Pat Ryan’s and the people who will pay the taxes, fees and surcharges on concert tickets.

But here’s the problem, as an old proverb observes, “A lie will go round the world while truth is still pulling on its boots.” And then the lie sticks. 

At the November 13 City Council meeting, we’ll see how firmly it sticks among those whose responsibility as elected officials is to sort fact from fiction and protect the voters who empowered them.