Construction update from the Central Street Consortium

The new stadium is taking shape at the Ryan Field construction site. The first sections of above-grade steel are now visible over the fences, giving neighbors a first glimpse of the future structure. Crews are also busy pouring the first concrete decking and getting to work on the new stadium’s first seating area.

Meanwhile, the concrete foundations are now complete, and the team is pushing forward with the installation of underground utilities. They’re also making progress on metal decking installation, including over the future loading dock.

Residents along the Chancellor St. utility route that runs from the west end of the street to Asbury Ave. and Canal Shores will notice equipment on site Jan. 16 and 17 as crews take samples to assess soil conditions. All work will occur during the City of Evanston’s allowable work hours and will not impact access to homes along the utility route. An additional set of soil samples will be collected in the coming month. Timing for that work will be shared at RebuildRyanField.com as soon as possible.

Questions or concerns?

Northwestern and the Central Street Consortium, in coordination with the City of Evanston, are committed to maintaining a responsive and robust channel of communication with the community throughout the process to Rebuild Ryan Field. Visit the Ryan Field website to explore several ways to ask questions and stay informed about upcoming milestones, including weekly updates on construction milestones. Visit the City of Evanston website to stay up-to-date on all Evanston construction projects and events.

Photo credit: Central Street Consortium/Jan. 13, 2025

The first above-grade level structure is now visible above the construction fences, offering neighbors a first glimpse of the future stadium.

Partner Spotlight: Madiken Security

Throughout the project to rebuild Ryan Field, the Central Street Consortium (CSC) has prioritized partnerships with local minority- and women-owned businesses. One of those businesses is Madiken Security, which provides comprehensive security for the job site and exemplifies CSC’s mission to advance economic opportunity for Evanston.

Madiken Security owner Michele Millison, a Northwestern University alum and former Chicago police officer, demonstrates her commitment to community impact starting with company hiring practices: 80% of Madiken Security employees are Evanston residents. Millison actively recruits employees through the City of Evanston’s local employment program and other community-based organizations, ensuring Madiken Security uplifts the community it serves.

Read more about Millison and Madiken Security.

Follow us on Instagram

Follow the Central Street Consortium on Instagram @centralstreetconsortium to see the job site through the eyes of the construction crew. Meet the team, find project updates, community events and more.

Upcoming events

The Central Street Consortium regularly hosts events to engage the Evanston community in the project to rebuild Ryan Field and to learn more about careers in the construction industry. 

Join us for office hours

A member of the Central Street Consortium team will be at the will-call ticket office in Welsh-Ryan Arena at 2705 Ashland Ave. in Evanston from 9 to 11 a.m. each Wednesday. Neighbors are welcome to come chat about special programs and construction career opportunities and to learn more about local businesses.

CSC representatives also will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday at the CSC Resource Center at 1910 Greenwood Ave. in Evanston. 

Ryan Field Construction Trade Fair – Connecting Prime Contractors with Diverse and Local Businesses
January 29, 5:30 PM
The Trade Collective, 1910 Greenwood Ave., Evanston --- The Ryan Field Construction Trade Fair fosters connections between the prime contractors engaged in the Ryan Field project and local businesses, including minority- and women-owned enterprises, as well as Evanston-based companies. The event provides a unique platform for local and diverse businesses to learn about procurement opportunities in construction trades, professional services and other sectors. Prime contractors will be available to discuss project needs, share information about upcoming opportunities and explore potential partnerships. Attendees will discover subcontracting opportunities in various industries and have the opportunity to network directly with contractors on the Ryan Field project, building relationships for future collaborations.