Chicago Construction News staff writer
A survey conducted by national public opinion research firm Impact Research shows a majority of Evanston residents support a plan to rebuild Northwestern University’s Ryan Field football stadium as a smaller, more environmentally friendly and accessible community venue.
The survey found that:
- Evanstonians are almost 2 to 1 in favor of the Ryan Field rebuild project, with a majority of respondents, 56%, supporting the Ryan Field rebuild project, while only 29% were against.
- When respondents learned more about the project, including new amenities, job growth and targets for minority participation, 63% of respondents supported a new Ryan Field.
- 64% of respondents were in favor of the new Ryan Field hosting 12 concerts a year; 69% were in favor of 10 concerts; and 74% favored 8 concerts.
The project will require no taxpayer dollars, and Northwestern has committed that at least 35% of all subcontracting spending will go to minority- and women-owned businesses. It also will create a construction job training pipeline to move workers from low-wage jobs to better-paying careers in the skilled trades.
The project is designed to achieve Gold LEED certification and aspires to be the most accessible stadium in college football.
Northwestern has collected more than 2,600 signatures in support of the rebuild from all nine wards, including many from the Seventh Ward where the new stadium will be built.
The poll, was conducted Jan. 13-17, and surveyed 500 residents throughout the City’s nine wards.
More information is available at RebuildRyanField.com.
