1983-4: Baseball Park Renovation

"Northwestern baseball has been played at the site of Rocky Miller Park at Wells Field since 1943, but it was not until 1958 that the University formally dedicated the park. The area is named after Harry L. Wells, a former vice president and business manager at Northwestern. A 1913 graduate of NU, Wells served the University for 20 years before retiring in 1954.

Long the home of Northwestern baseball, Rocky Miller Park underwent renovation in 1983 and was rededicated during ceremonies in May of 1984."

In fact the site's information is not quite accurate. The renovation was only started in 1983; the site was still called Wells Field in an analysis given to the city after November 21, 1983; and the renovation was only completed in early 1985.

See in particular the December 21, 1984 ZBA minutes (further below, p.6), the interaction between a resident and the NU lawyer.

Mr. Jacobson: Is it a fact that your baseball facility is about to be completed, six weeks to go to finish up a goodly portion of it? is that a fact or is this fiction?

Mr. Perry: Yes. That is a fact.

Below is the August 25, 1983 Interdepartmental Memorandum from Jack Siegel to Robert Rudd, Director of Housing & Property Service regarding the necessity of a zoning analysis dealing with the construction of permanent bleachers at the Northwestern Wells Baseball Field.

CITY OF EVANSTON

INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM

August 25, 1983

To: Robert Rudd, Director of Housing & Property Services

FROM: Jack H. Siegel, Corporation Counsel

You have asked for my opinion with respect to the necessity of a zoning analysis dealing with the construction of permanent bleachers at the Northwestern Baseball Field. It is my understanding that Northwestern proposes to construct bleachers to accommodate 660 persons on a permanent basis. These bleachers would permanently replace the temporary bleachers which have heretofore been utilized during the baseball season. I further understand that the temporary bleachers accommodated in excess of 900 persons.

The direct result of the substitution of permanent bleachers for temporary bleachers will be the reduction of required parking spaces. I further understand that the Traffic Engineer, pursuant to the zoning ordinance, has determined that the proper number of parking spaces is one space for every ten seats to be provided in the bleachers. It would therefore appear that a reduction from the existing ninety plus spaces to sixty-six spaces would be a proper determination with respect to the parking structure.

The area to be occupied by the permanent bleachers is now utilized from time to time during the off-season for parking. Most of the parking requirements arise from the use of Dyche Stadium. I further understand that the occupancy of a portion of this area by permanent bleachers will result in the loss of thirty-three spaces presently available for University athletic parking.

You have Informed me that Northwestern is prepared to provide an additional thirty-three permanent parking spaces on the site of existing tennis courts to replace the thirty-three spaces lost as a result of placing a permanent structure on what is now open land, at least during a portion of the off-season.

Based on the foregoing I am of the opinion that no additional zoning analysis with respect to parking is necessary in connection with the application for special use. Under the provisions of Section 6-6-5 (C) of the zoning ordinance, all new construction and additions to existing structures are permitted only as a special use except for permitted scoreboards. It thus appears that the construction of permanent bleachers falls within the requirement of the special use permit, which in turn requires zoning analysis.

In light of the foregoing analysis it would appear that if the University furnishes a permanent thirty-three spaces, which must be provided to replace the spaces to be occupied by a permanent structure, and also provide sixty-six parking spaces, which are necessary to meet the zoning ordinance requirements for the new bleacher structure, all parking requirements would be satisfied and no further zoning analysis of that aspect is necessary.

Jack Siegel - Corporation Counsel

Below are two pages of the ZBA recorded minutes (most likely November 8, 1983)

The November 8 meeting is mentioned in the Ordinance shown further below, and also mentioned in the December 21, 1984 ZBA meeting, p. 6). Spotlight is missing the rest of the minutes.

What follows is the Ordinance 124-0-83 granting a Special Use and Variation at 1501 Central Street for the Baseball project.

The case was introduced at Council on November 21, 1983 and approved only two days later on November 23, 1983. (A microfilmed copy of this document shows a handwritten notation at the top: ZBA 83-15

In late 1983 or early 1984, NU asked for a different variation from the off-street parking regulations, not just as to location (as in the Ordinance above), but as to number of spaces required, from 98 to 33.

The following "analysis" document refers to case 83-260(6), and includes the handwritten annotation: "ZBA 83-22".

The analysis was listed as a document in the December 1984 ZBA meeting.

Below is the February 22, 1984 letter from ZBA Chairman Paul F. Boyer to NU lawyer Perry.

Boyer tells Perry that the ZBA decision is to grant the application for a new variation re. the baseball parking exemption.

Below are the recorded minutes of the the December 21, 1984 ZBA meeting.

The proposed parking exemption variation [83-22-V (F)] is debated and granted, only six weeks before the baseball park renovation is completed.

Some highlights from the above meeting. On p. 4 see the objections of Julian Jacobson, Evanston resident.

"I have strenuous objections for anything that comes up in North Evanston that deprives us people -- we people who live there of street parking First of all it started off with the Bears, if you remember a hundred years ago. And Northwestern was prevented from using Dyche Stadium for bears games. But that didn't prevent the north of Evanston from being absolutely used certain by parking people who are going to the Northwestern football Games. That's number one.

North Evanston was a parking lot for all practical purposes. Then we get hit after that season with the basketball. Then we are going to get hit with baseball. What more do you want to take us to take?

When these games come up, we who live in the north and are forced to drive around for up to two hours looking for a parking space. And eventually, you end up with a ticket because we are in a "No Parking Zone."

I think this is eminently unfair. I have been told that what's good for Northwestern is good for Evanston. I don't believe it. It isn't food for me."

On p. 5 Mr. Perry makes a reference to "more than 4,000 parking spaces in the Northwestern athletic facilities."

Spotlight believes that Perry was misinformed about the spaces available in 1984. Probably, just like in 2019, NU exaggerated the amount of parking available on stadium property.