By Bob Seidenberg

Northwestern University’s proposed draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city for the university’s $800 million stadium project speaks of public benefits but provides no figures as of yet concerning the contribution the tax-exempt university might give to blunt neighborhood impacts.
The draft MOU is included in the packet of materials for Monday’s City Council, at which Council members are scheduled to discuss the university’s request for special zoning.
After a series of lengthy hearings, the city’s advisory Land Use Commission had recommended approval earlier this month of the university’s plan to build a new stadium but had voted against zoning changes that would allow it to host concerts there.
The two ordinances related to the university’s Ryan Field proposal are scheduled to be on the agenda of a special Council meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Monday at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Community members may also watch the meeting online at www.cityofevanston.org/channel or on Cable Channel 16.
Suffredin reiterates position
Meanwhile, Evanston City Council member Thomas Suffredin reiterated in his 6th Ward newsletter today his position on the issue since March in bold, capitalized font.
“Without SIGNIFICANT, guaranteed annual financial benefits to the City of Evanston for the lifetime of the stadium, Northwestern University’s request for concerts at Ryan Field is not worthy of consideration,” wrote Suffredin, capitalizing significant and placing it in bold. “What are SIGNIFICANT guaranteed financial benefits? That is to be determined, but I didn’t put that in bold, italics, and capitalized font by accident. Northwestern has not even come close.”

The university in its proposed MOU proposes:

— “To deliver a reasonable concert operations plan to the city prior to the first Concert Event Date following the date on which a certificate of occupancy is issued for Ryan Field:
— Shall use its best efforts to provide significant advance notice to the City and Evanston community of any capacity events to occur at Ryan Field or the associated plazas;
— Is committed through its own efforts and through the efforts of its contractors to furthering opportunities for a broad and diverse membership of the Evanston community to participate in and benefit from the design, construction, maintenance and operation of a newly-rebuilt Ryan Field:
— Seeks to foster a a broader connection between Northwestern and the entire Evanston community.”
The university’s proposed MOU also states that in connection with such public benefits, “Northwestern will make certain voluntary payments that shall not impact Northwestern’s tax-exempt status or be considered a tax, tariff or duty or a payment in lieu thereof.”
“In light of the broader relationship between Northwestern and the entire Evanston community, and in the spirit of a renewed greater partnership between Northwestern and the City going forward,” the document states, “the Parties agree that they are committed to collaborating in good faith and reasonably working with one another with respect to all Northwestern/City matters beyond the new Ryan Field for years to come. In light of the broader relationship between Northwestern and the entire Evanston community, and in the spirit of a renewed greater partnership between Northwestern and the City going forward, the Parties agree that they are committed to collaborating in good faith and reasonably working with one another with respect to all Northwestern/City matters beyond the new Ryan Field for years to come.”
Although the draft MOU contains no specific monetary figure, DLA Piper, LLP, representing the university on the issue, maintains in a cover letter to the MOU that the development is “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” for city that will have an $800 million economic impact, creating some 3,000 jobs, and generating $12 million in direct permit fees.