Construction update from the Central Street Consortium

Construction activities at the new Ryan Field are turning a corner as fall sets in, with mass excavation now mostly complete, resulting in fewer trucks and dirt coming from the site. Focus now shifts to installing concrete foundations and underground utilities in preparation for the stadium's steel structure.

Questions or concerns?

Northwestern and the Central Street Consortium (CSC), 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.

The majority of mass excavation at the new stadium is now complete, with the bowl at its permanent playing level.

A change in trucking patterns

Photo credit: Central Street Consortium

Mass excavation at the new Ryan Field is all but complete, which means less digging, fewer truckloads of dirt leaving the job site and less dust in the air. The stadium bowl is now at its permanent playing level.

From haul out to haul in, most trucks around the new stadium will now be making deliveries, hauling in the steel and building materials needed to bring the new Ryan Field to life.

Truck routes during this period remain the same: Golf Road and Emerson Street between Crawford and Sherman Avenues; Sherman Avenue between Emerson and Central Streets; Central Street between Sherman and Ashland Avenues. Trucks affiliated with the project will continue to carry a purple circle in the upper left corner of the windshield.

Crews are working closely with foremen and drivers to ensure strict adherence to covering mandates, approved truck routes and all other regulations governing truck traffic near the construction site. Non-compliance will result in immediate removal from the work site, and repeat offenders will be permanently barred from the project.  

Read more about trucking guidelines on the Rebuild Ryan Field website.

From demolition to construction, working toward LEED Gold certification

Photo credit: Central Street Consortium

More than 99% of non-hazardous materials contained in the original Ryan Field structure have been recycled and are ready for use in new projects. These efforts bring the new Ryan Field one step closer to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.

As required by state, county and city regulatory requirements, subcontractors licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health completed abatement of hazardous materials, including lead and asbestos. An environmental consultant then inspected and confirmed all hazardous materials were properly removed and disposed.

Prior to beginning demolition of the structure, crews — in partnership with the Rebuilding Exchange of Evanston — salvaged select items such as seating, signage, TVs, food service equipment, millwork and mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment for other uses. In addition, demolition subcontractors removed light bulbs and light ballasts; recovered refrigerants, coolants, aluminum bleachers, electrical panels, transformers, gear and accessible copper.

Clean concrete, steel and non-ferrous metals from the existing stadium were sorted onsite and sent for recycling. Steel and non-ferrous metals have been melted down and formed into new components needed for a variety of uses. The clean concrete was crushed at an offsite facility and is being used for work that requires crushed recycled concrete such as underground utility or road construction projects.

LEED is a green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn more about federal LEED certification requirements as well as the City of Evanston's Green Building Ordinance. 

Join us for "Truck or Treat!"

Join Northwestern and the Central Street Consortium for a Halloween event fit for the “Bob the Builder” or “Terrific Trucks” fan in your home!

Come out Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for candy, games, prizes and a close-up view of some of the heavy equipment used in the Ryan Field build. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event that previews the new Ryan Field's future as a welcoming space that brings the local community together.

Activities will take place in the west stadium lot at Ashland Ave. and Central St. Evanston and Wilmette residents are encouraged to register online so we may share more information with you closer to the time of the event. Local businesses interested in participating in the fun may submit a request online for more information.

Follow us on Instagram

Photo credit: Central Street Consortium

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. 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. 

Turner School of Construction Management
October 10, 4:00 PM
Participate in a free program designed to prepare diverse, women-owned, veteran/disabled, LGBTQ and small business contractors for future business opportunities. Gain insights and meaningful tools to help set up your business for quality and growth while developing strategic business relationships. The program runs from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each Thursday from Oct. 10 through Nov. 21. Each class is unique and taught by some of the top professionals in the construction industry. Turner School of Construction Management is the oldest community outreach program in Turner's history, and we want you to be a part of it. Register online.

Truck or Treat
October 29, 4:30 PM
Join Northwestern and the Central Street Consortium for a Halloween event fit for the “Bob the Builder” or “Terrific Trucks” fan in your home! Come out Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for candy, games, prizes and a close-up view of some of the heavy equipment used in the Ryan Field build. Costumes encouraged! Activities will take place in the west stadium lot at Ashland Ave. and Central St.