1970's Parking

In 1973, there were 4,275 parking spots; McGaw seated 8,000. Thus: 1 parking spot per 2 people.

In 1976, 3600 parking spots were left. McGaw seated 11,000. 1 spot per 3 people.

In 1984 NU lawyer Perry still claims there are 4,000 parking sports left. Spotlight is not sure that was the case, however.

1983-4: Baseball Park Renovation

In 2019 there are only 1359 spots. With the proposed venue capacity of 7000, 1 spot must serve 5 people.

For parking issues raised in later years:

• 1984 Home Show

• 1996 NU West Lot Racing

• 2019 East Parking Lot Issue

Below see the 1973, December 11 Interdepartmental Memorandum that provides the parking data at that time.

Below: November 22, 1971 letter from NU Vice President and Business Manager, William S. Kerr.

The letter mentions that " The NU Stadium lots accommodate 3,000 cars". The 1971 Homecoming attendance was 30,000. Kerr discusses street vs yard parking. At the time yard parking advertised by price signs was violated zoning code. [Emphasis added]

It states that street parking "occurred on several blocks in all directions...it does seem that the vast amount of street parking has more of an impact on the character of the neighborhood than yard parking.... So in terms of affecting traffic and neighborhood character, the street parking is much more critical than yard parking."

"The feasibility of such a service [10 buses] is doubtful .. We should remain cooperative in terms of discussing alternatives and be careful not to emphasize the point that we are accommodating less than 50% of our own game parking, but continue to maintain that yard parking is not extensive, whether or not it can be "moved" by a shuttle service."

Below is p. 15 from the minutes of the September 21 1976 ZBA meeting

1976 September 21

September 21, 1976 ZBA

(Brace: NU Attorney; Dona P. Gerson: Board member

Gerson: I would like to ask you about the capacity of the parking for the stadium. According to an analysis, if the ordinance requirements are met there are 3,127 parking places...And I wanted to ask you how many cars come in when there is a stadium event that fills the stadium , how many - what would be the range of the number of cars?

Brace: I am not dead certain of the answer but I think I can concede that it would be more than can be held in that lot, if that's the point you are trying to make.

Gerson: I am sure that it would be more than can be held in the lot.

Brace:It depends on how big the cars are and how many people squeeze into them. But I think the experience has been that more cars come than can be parked in that one facility. I think that one is correct.

Gerson: Now, according also to this analysis, if the Ordinance requirements are met, there would be a requirement of 6,375 parking places.

Brace: I think on that one, we get into the problem of a non-conforming use. The Ordinance came well after this situation. I think the City has recognized that, but I am not familiar with all of the ins and outs.

Gerson: I am sure that your use is legal non-conforming, but as far as the impact on the locality would be, if the use of the stadium was changed, do you feel that lacking almost 3,000 parking places would make a signicant impact, where there is an event that fills the stadium, in an area that is very residential, dense, and where perhaps the streets are not designed to empty large numbers of cars out of the City?

Marilyn Jaselskis sent the Mayor Lytle the following letter with a diagram of the cars parked on four residential streets east of the Stadium.

How the Central Street Station dealt with the crowds attending events:

Across the street from the main entrance, on the north side of Central St., is an auxiliary exit from the platform. Seen looking north on July 26, 2003, the stairs are set quite far back from the street, perhaps far enough that another building could be erected between them and the street, if so desired. To handle large crowds from nearby Dyche Stadium, there used to be a row of small agent's booths in front of the stairs that could allow this to be used as an auxiliary entrance. The gates flanking the rotogates could be opened to allow entry. The booths remained as late as the early 1970s.

The Central station house... originally had a row of four ticket agents booths, as seen in this February 21, 1958 photo. They allowed the station to handle large crowds for sporting events. Note that there are no turnstiles, even 10 years into the CTA era. For a larger view, click here.