In 1978, California passed Proposition 13, a landmark tax revolt that capped property tax hikes, purportedly to help seniors stay in their homes. But in reality, Prop 13 handed commercial property owners trillions of dollars in tax breaks and gutted funding for public education. It destroyed one of the best K-12 systems in the country and also transformed the University of California’s Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses into public Ivy League schools affordable only to wealthy students. Prop. 13 was rightly branded “the Revolt of the Haves.”
Efforts by Evanston residents in the wealthiest part of our city, joined by their allies in Wilmette, are staging a new Revolt of the Haves, this time in their cynical efforts to block the Ryan Field rebuild. Their not-in-my-backyard vanity opposition could rob the rest of Evanston of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lift up working families in our community and provide tax revenue that would put our city on a better financial footing.
As nearby neighbors of Ryan Field and 7th Ward residents ourselves, we cannot stand by and watch this happen. This Anti-Ryan Field Revolt of the Haves could not only cost our city millions of dollars in desperately needed tax revenue, but it would also take away a golden opportunity for residents to gain valuable construction job training and a chance for Evanston women- and minority-owned small business owners from every corner of the city to benefit from contracts during construction and at the new Ryan Field.
Also, the new Ryan Field would provide a lifeline to struggling downtown restaurants and hotels still reeling from the pandemic and the work-from-home shift.
The opposition to the Ryan Field rebuild has little to do with construction of a new stadium; it’s almost entirely centered around how many concerts Northwestern University could be allowed to host at a new, environmentally friendly venue with state-of-the-art accessibility for people with disabilities.
Northwestern listened to neighbors of goodwill and lowered its request from 12 events, to 10, to now just six. But that’s not enough compromise for the “haves.” Because Wilmette and their fellow haves won’t stomach six events, here’s what the rest of us could lose in community benefits if they win:
* An $800 million economic shot in the arm, including a 35% partnership opportunity for women- and minority-owned businesses. That’s a $208 million investment to make sure everyone can share in the benefits of the new field.
* $10 million to develop a new local workforce training program that would equip disconnected and disadvantaged residents with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s job market.
* $2 million in annual tax and fee revenue to the city of Evanston tied to events at Ryan Field.
* $10 million to $13 million in city revenue from building permits.
* A ticket surcharge that will generate approximately $500,000 in revenue each year to support our District 65 and 202 schools.
All of these opportunities and benefits will go away if the haves get their way. And Wilmette leaders, with their tony schools and thriving restaurant scene, will smile.
Noticeably, Wilmette and the haves were fine with the city making the Margarita Inn a permanent place for unhoused people to live 365 days a year. It’s fine in someone else’s backyard. But interrupt their routine just six times a year, and the haves will fight to the end.
Yes, every Evanstonian was sickened by the reports coming out of the NU athletic department hazing scandal. Northwestern needs to embrace accountability and make its school safe for every student, no matter what.
But that’s not what this fight is about. It never was. It’s all about six events. The needs of the many outweigh the wants of a few. City Council members must be reminded that they represent all of Evanston, not Wilmette and not a relatively small group of people who have made the “not in my backyard” rally cry their own “don’t tread on me” flag.
Debi Ardern, Sonja Nordahl, Fran Paden, Bill Paden and Tim Davitt are neighbors of Ryan Field and live in Evanston’s 7th Ward.
An earlier version of this article misstated where the authors live. The Tribune regrets the error.
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