1971 Letters

1971 letters sent to members of the Evanston Zoning Board of Appeals, re. 12-71-A "NU seeks zoning change to permit professional sports events at Dyche Stadium"

Mr. Scane was the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

ST. ATHANASIUS PARISH COUNCIL

Evanston, Illinois.

March 17, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

The Parish Council of St. Athanasius Church at I615 Lincoln in Evanston, at their March 2nd meeting again had brought before it the question of the commercial use of Dyche Stadium by the Bears. Following extended discussion, a motion was passed unanimously instructing me, as Secretary of the Council, to again voice the Councils strong protect to this commercial use of the stadium.

For many years, St. Athanasius Church has held Sunday masses at 6:45 AM which continue till the last one at 1:00 PM. The 11:45 AM and the 1:00 PM Masses are especially well attended. Those attending Mass utilize the streets nearby for parking, and also areas on the Church ground. A Sunday game will force a large change of habits of the parishioners and a rather complex means of identification combined with manpower will be needed to limit the Church parking facilities to church goers only. Without some policing, these parking facilities would be utilized by fans attending the game.

The inconvenience and traffic congestion will lessen attendance at these later masses (as was demonstrated at the Sunday game last year) as parishioners will seek services elsewhere.

The Parish did lose revenue at their Sunday collections last year, and we can only presume that a continuation of this can be expected if more Sunday games are held.

The Council feels that it has, in the past, cooperated with the University in recognizing their right to have their games at the Stadium, which have never been on Sunday. It appears that Northwestern University has, up to now, also considered Sunday as a day of worship and rest, as they do not stage their athletic events on Sunday. It seems that since now, due to their financial limitations (their impressive new construction on the campus seems to belie that fact) they are willing to upset the entire area by using the stadium as a source of more revenue.

We urge you to consider the interests of the majority of the people and property owners in the area and deny the petition to amend the zoning.

Yours very truly,

A.Gorham, Secretary

1710 Livingston

I do not approve of using Dyche Stadium for professional football and other commercial uses.

Helen M [?] MacDonald 2541 Bennett

We pay $1200.00/YR in RE. Taxes alone.

So

keep the Bears

OUT!!!

of Evanston

H.C. & Maud [?] Close 1114 Colfax-

Dear Mr. Scane,

I am strongly opposed as to allowing the Chicago Bears the use of Dyche Stadium. It will reduce the value of property thus bring in less real estate taxes. It will be the cause of a great number of residents to move away and they have all been a great asset to our community. I also urge you to uphold preserve our zoning laws which as you know are most important to the welfare of our City.

Sincerely, Mrs. Janet E. Cassels [?] 1322 Eastwood Ave.

Dear Mr. Scane,

It’s my understanding , friendly, neighborly, understanding Northwestern University is going to ask for a tiny little variation to allow their “amateur” facilities” to be used for pay and profit.

After the Bears, I suppose we can expect hot car races, rock festivals, go-go girls, etc. on all days of the week!

The fact that the entire 10 or 15 block area around Dyche will be ruined by traffic, wrong way parking, loudspeaker noises, garbage, drinking at “tail-gate parties” seems little price to pay for the greater glory of the Chicago Bears...Teams and poor, financially poor Northwestern.

I must admit, Northwestern’s total lack of concern for the citizens of Evanston is not out of character. I have lived in Evanston 27 years and have never seen or heard of a single generous act on their part. The sole exception might be the ice skating ring, which of course was on bequest.

Mr. Scane, do your duty keep Evanston as a residential community not a booze-ridden, gambling infested outpost [?] of professionalism. Thank you for your ...

Cordially Arthur N. Getz 2767 Garrison Place

March 1971

Dear Mr. Scane,

I am writing to you to express my feelings about the Bears using Dyche Stadium.

That the “quality of life” in north Evanston would suffer is a major consideration. But just as important I think, is the economic consequence the city of a certain loss in residential property values in the vicinity of the Stadium. Add to this the expenses of police and other city services connected with the [game,] I feel our city may actually lose money

I hope your board will do everything in its power to keep the Bears out.

Sincerely Mrs Daniel Stre... 2720 Grant St.

Dear Mr. Scane:

We are opposed to the petition that NW has filed for a variation to use Dyche Stadium for professional football & other commercial uses.

The citizens of Evanston and particularly those of North Evanston who are the most immediately affected have a right to quiet weekends, access to their homes without having their parking places blocked, and a relief from congestion which is the reason they moved to the suburbs in the first place.

When one considers the extra cost of police protection, tow trucks for parking violations, extra hours for the fire department and sanitation department, I doubt if the City has much to gain financially. What the city can lose however is the tax-paying citizens who will move out rather than put up with the congestion. As the congestion grows, if it is allowed to, the neighborhood will run down and produce lower taxes.

As for Northwestern U and its deficit there are many ways it can trim its budget. A University is after all like a church. It will spend all the money available.

Sincerely, Joseph S. Beck 2459 Prairie

March 3, 1971

Dear Mr. Scan and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

As a resident I wish to voice my protest against the proposed change in zoning ordinance by Northwestern University to permit use of Dyche Stadium for professional football games.

I feel if this is allowed the whole character of our city will change. It will crate a commercial atmosphere not in keeping with our environment. It will attract many outsiders not only on the days of the games, but continually as the Bears' practice sessions are held. I do not want my children exposed to this situation.

As a resident and parent in the neighborhood surrounding Dyche Stadium I feel I will have to move my resident [sic] out of Evanston due to the tremendous inconveniences caused by this action. I am not alone. Evanston will lose many of its fine citizens, who will also take a financial loss in selling their homes which will certainly not give the city a good image.

Yours very truly, Karl B. Culberg 1322 Livingston

March 4, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals

I wish to make known to you and your fellow members that I am strongly opposed to the approval of the requested variation of the above appeal.

As you can readily see by my address, that I will be among those residents whom will fell most strongly the advance of the bears, fostered by that great tax free colossus, NU! I certainly hope that you will see that the advent of pro football is only the beginning of the end for Evanston as as{sic] whole, or should I say hole!

I am most fearful that my property and that of most all of our fellow citizens will decline in value, as has been the history of other areas when they have become commercialized. As you can readily understand, a drop in the valuation of the property will result in less revenue for Evanston from that source. So, it does not seem like a smart move, from this one viewpoint alone, to approve this proposed variation.

Yours very truly, Ralph L. Welch 1620 Jenks

March 8, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

I am opposed to the proposal to change the zoning ordinance to permit the use of Northwestern Stadium for professional games.

Officials who vote against the change in this zoning ordinance will receive my support.

Sincerely, Vernon Page, MD, 1311 Livingston

March 9, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

Please vote "no" to NU's request to change the zoning. Evanston will stand to lose more money than it gains. Just drive down to Wrigley Field to see what the area around Dyche Stadium will look like in a few years.

The drop in real estate taxes in the long run, will more than offset what Mr. Halas and NU generously offer the city as a share of the gate receipts.

As members of the zoning board it is your responsibility to protect the citizens of a lovely residential neighborhood and keep it that way rather than line Mr. Halas' pockets. Once the zoning laws are revoked what is to prevent any other commercial enterprise from coming to Dyche Stadium??

Sincerely Yours Trudy and Edgar Selz 2509 Ashland Avenue

March 14, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane

I wish to voice a strong protest against the proposed zoning variation which would allow Dyche Stadium to be used for commercial purposes, including professional football games by the Chicago Bears.

This is predominantly a residential area, and I want it to remain so.

Yours truly, (Mrs. R. H. ) Victoria G. McLeod 2527 Eastwood Ave.

March 14, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane:

Last year when Northwestern University petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to allow the Bears to play professional football in Dyche Stadium I wrote the Secretary of your Board strongly opposing the granting of such an exception to the zoning ordinance.

I understand that Northwestern University is again petitioning for a similar variation: your case 12/71-A.

Once again,as a taxpaying resident of Evanston since 1938, I wish to go on record as being unalterably opposed to the use of any of Northwestern's athletic facilities for any and all commercial purposes.

The alleged financial benefits to Northwestern University and the City of Evanston are greatly exaggerated. On the other hand, the loss to our city and its residents will be serious. Unquestionably the area around the stadium will be costly to maintain and will deteriorate. I , for one, will no longer wish to remain in Evanston since it can no longer be an exceptionally fine residential area.

If Northwestern's athletic program can not pay its own way let it give up its athletic program as the University of Chicago did. This would be obviously be more reasonable than to make Evanston residents and taxpayers suffer the inconvenience, annoyance and loss in property values that professional football will entail.

I sincerely hope that you and the members of your Board will give serious consideration to my views.

Sincerely yours, Owen R. Terry. 2720 Eastwood Ave.

March 15, 1971

Dear Sir,

I wish to state my opposition to a zoning variation to use Dyche Stadium for professional football and other commercial uses.

I implore you to use your influence to this effect.

Your truly, Mrs. Horace Dyer Bent 2668 Prairie

March 16, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane:

Mr. Fullagar and I would appreciate your efforts toward keeping the Chicago Bears from using Dyche Stadium. Evanston has "progressed" too much in our opinion and using the Stadium for professional football, in our opinion, would be a mistake.

Very truly yours, Doris O. Fullagar 2320 Isabella Street

March 17, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane:

As residents of the City of Evanston and with all facts fairly considered and with the best interests of our city and neighbors at heart, we wish to go on record and sincerely urge that the zoning laws which exist and rule against the playing of professional sports at Dyche Stadium be continued and upheld. These laws were enacted in good faith by our citizens of a previous day to keep our city the kind of a city it was originally intended to be. Now the law is being tested perhaps for the first time. Should it prove worthless then we have broken faith with those who enacted it and all the other fine citizens dedicated to a better Evanston.

We trust that we can be understood and that our wishes be respected.

Thank you. Very respectfully Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Bobs

March 17, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

As a member of the SOUTHEAST EVANSTON ASSOCIATION, and as a resident of the Southeast area of Evanston, I am categorically opposed to the use of Dyche Stadium by the bears. We do not hold that the quality of life in Evanston must be depreciated in view of economic need. Pollution of thousand ad thousands of people into the city of Evanston up to 5 times a season constitutes a gross violation of the individuality and privacy which residents of Evanston sought when they bought homes in the area.

Southeast Evanston, as well as most other areas of the city, are also adversely affected by a continuous flow of traffic through city streets that were not designed for the volume.

Sincerely yours,

Walter B. Clarkson 1140 Forest Avenue

March 17, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane,

We strongly urge the City of Evanston and the Zoning Board of Appeals to take no action that would permit the use of Dyche Stadium by the Chicago Bears or for any other professional games.

Our opposition is based on many factors, perhaps the most important being that large crowds there would appear to have the following results:

1. Reduce property values in the North Evanston community

2. Make it difficult if not impossible to fight fires on game days.

3. Tend to isolate and to some extent imprison the surrounding area when games are scheduled.

Very truly yours, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hawes 1509 Oak Ave.

The microfilm photo-copy of the following letter cut off the name of the writer.

March 17, 1971

Dear Sirs;

My husband and I lived in Southwest Evanston for 7 years and then decided our best investment would be to buy a house in Northwest or northeast Evanston. The property values are higher and we felt it was an all around better real estate investment. When we bought our house near Dyche Stadium we were aware of the Northwestern games and did not feel they were detrimental to the area as that was the only sport permitted at Dyche and we never felt it would be used commercially.

We definitely feel if Dyche Stadium is used commercially for the Bears, tennis matches or anything else professional, not only will the area around the stadium decline, but all the real estate in Evanston will decline as it will not be the desirable community to live in, that it is now. For this and the following reasons we oppose the commercial use of Dyche Stadium.

1. Evanston will have to spend about $8,000.00 for clean up which will not leave much for Evanston to spend on its needs. (projects to benefit the community only would the money be used for) We hope.

2. The problem of people coming to watch the practices if they practice in Dyche stadium. Added congestion and parking.

3. Hot Dog stands sprouting up on Central Street.

4. A relaxation of police control and ticketing of cars after a game or two.

5. A definite drop in property values all over Evanston. If values drop 3,000.00 per house in all Evanston, the city will have considerably less tax dollars to work with. Much less than if the Bears do not come at all.

6. Many people who give a considerable amount of time to the United Fund and N.U. will give their money elsewhere and possibly move.

7. Last but not least the problems of getting in and out of the area will be almost insurmountable.

Dear Mr. Dutton:

I have been told there will be a Zoning Board hearing Tuesday evening, March 23 at 8:00 PM.

People in the area in which I live in North Evanston are very much concerned and opposed to the Bears playing football at Duyche Stadium and I should like to appear at the hearing and make a statement to the Zoning Board.

I have lived at 1416 Rosalie Street for over thirty years; we purchase the house back in 1941 or 1942.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Cordially, Howard C Morton

March 18, 1971

Dear Sir:

I am writing to express my grave concern over the attempt of Northwestern university to bring the Chicago Bears football games to Dyche Stadium.

During the one game last year, thee was a terrible automobile chaos in our neighborhood from several hours before the game to 1.5 hours afterwards. The congestion and noise were very bad, but a more serious hazard exists that I would like to tell you about.

Our neighborhood is usually a quiet peaceful one, and the children are used to crossing the street in a leisure fashion, riding their bikes on the street, etc. I have 3 small grammar-school children They play on the grass near the street also, and their friends and they go back and forth across.

On the day of the game, cars came zooming at high speeds in all directions. One of the children was crossing the street with a scooter and a car zoomed by at least 60 mph going down Bennett heading toward Central Street. The child jumped back and fell over the street; I happened to be walking down the street and went rushing over to give first aid. Cars were going in all directions, youths leaning out the window shouting, etc. I called the police; they came over and informed me that only 1 car was available for our area and of course he could not patrol every block.

Before the game my wife and I were bicycling on the street down Lincoln; this was 11 A.M. on a Sunday. Cars appeared from all directions and the police insisted that we go home and stay away, for our own safety.

I maintain that a serious danger exists, for no traffic regulation is possible for a football crowd this size. there are going to be some serious accidents and I am very worried.

Please have mercy on the little people and the little children; don't let the Bears play in Evanston.

Sincerely yours, Richard D. Chessick, M. D.

March 19, 1971

Re: Appeal by NU 12-71-A

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals:

I would like to voice my opinion in protest to the Bears playing their home games at Dyke Stadium. Althougjh I do not live in the immediate area of the Stadium I am interested in keeping his area, as well as any other similarly zoned area in town, restricted as to use for commercial zoning.

North Evanston has always been a quiet, residential neighborhood. Football games, which one expects living in a college town, have not detracted from this atmosphere. But to bring in a pro football team on Sundays is an entirely different story. To change the zoning laws just to appease a group of men, who in a few years may not even be connected with the University, let alone live here, and to disregard the voices of the people who are citizens of the town and property owners would, in my estimation, certainly be a very unwise decision.

Sincerely, Albert E. Kremer 2601 Simpson Street

March 21, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals;

Even though the Big 10 this afternoon has voted not to approve the use of Dyche Stadium for professional; football, Evanston must realize that a threat still exists. Both the Stadium and McGaw Hall stand ready for other professional activities. It is necessary, therefore, that Evanston holds on to and strengthens its present zoning regulations and their administration will assure its residents, both present and future, that Evanston is and will continue to be a great place to live. We count on your support.

Sincerely yours Joseph H. Blake 1317 Livingston Street

March 21, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane,

We are opposed to the use of Dyche Stadium by a professional football team. We believe that such use would be a major step torward turning Evanston from an attractive community into an overpopulated impersonal city. If the tax benefits look attractive to the City Council because of financial pressures, won't also the revenue from liquor sales, changed zoning, and other things which will tend to change the character of our city. We consider the absence of liquor stores and the presence of strict zoning definate [sic] assets to a community we choose to support.

Sincerely yours, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Hodgson 714 Central Street

March 21, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane:

• As a resident of northeast Evanston living within two blocks of Dyche Stadium, I should like you to know of my grave concern about the proposed commercial use of Dyche stadium by the Chicago bears. My personal concern is shared by the overwhelming majority of my neighbors. As a candidate for alderman of the 7th ward, I have spoken with more than 300 persons during the past six weeks, undoubtedly, "the bears is the major concern of my fellow citizens, and their opposition to the expanded use of Dyche Stadium is nearly unanimous.

There are three principal reasons for my opposition to this commercial use of the college stadium in our area:

1. The disruption of normal Sunday activities in a quiet, resident ail area caused by traffic, noise , and pollution, plus the difficulty of access attendant upon the presence of 50,000 to 60,000 football fans eight to ten or possibly more times a year will significantly alter the pattern of life in our community.

2. Possible effects of such permitted commercial use of this University facility may render invalid basic zoning classifications of the Evanston Zoning Ordinance.

3. I am concerned with the unfortunate effects upon the University-community relations caused by Northwestern's decision to proceed with long-term negotiations with the Bears in apparent disregard of needs and wished of their citizen neighbors.

In addition, I should like to call to your attention the somewhat delusionary proposals of monetary gains supposedly accruing to the city if the Bears should be granted permission to use the stadium. The lease agreement between Northwestern and the Bears contains no specific dollar figure to be received by Evanston from the proposed pre-season benefit game. The city would receive one-third of the gross game receipts, less game costs, less $20,000 for administrative fees, less costs assessed by the city for police, clan-up, etc., less taxes. It is clear that the actual dollars coming to Evanston are by no means certain.

The reasons for denying the use of Dyche Stadium by the Bears seems to be overwhelming. The advantages to our community are disproportionately small and questionable. I respectfully urge the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny this request which will indeed affect the quality of life of our community.

Sincerely yours,

Mollie Williams (Mrs. Edward L. Williams)

2401 Jackson Avenue

March 23, 1971

Dear Sir:

RE: Dyche Stadium and its commercial usage.

As a concerned citizen and property owner in the area involved, may I add my voice to the many who are protesting the proposed commercial usage,

It is true that neighborhoods often deteriorate and change with time as they grow older, but it does seem senseless deliberately to accelerate that deterioration for the convenience and profit fo a few while it brings inconvenience and great property loss to many.

We in north Evanston bought property here for its residential qualities whch were its peacefulness, quietness, and freedom from crowds and traffic. We greatly resist, resent, and do protest the change of neighborhood that this arbitrary change of usage for the Stadium will bring to us.

Respectfully, Evelyn M. Schumm

April 19, 1971

Dear Mr. Scane,

Mrs Sadler and I urgently request that you do not allow professional tennis to be played at McGaw Hall.

We are ardent sport enthusisast but do not feel that Northwestern University should be involved in professional sports.

Very Truly yours, John B. Sadler Elizabeth Sadler