Ryan Field Advisory Council Meeting 4-6-2026

The City of Evanston's Ryan Field Advisory Council convened on April 6, 2026, primarily to discuss the traffic and parking management plans related to events at Ryan Field, including football games and concerts. The meeting focused extensively on parking availability, shuttle bus operations, neighborhood parking restrictions, and coordination between Northwestern University, the city, and other stakeholders. Key procurement-related topics included the use of various parking assets such as hospital lots, Metro parking, and potential agreements with local businesses and schools for event parking. The council emphasized the need for clear communication strategies, including "know before you go" information, and discussed the logistics of shuttle bus deployment, including the potential use of electric shuttles. They also addressed enforcement measures like saw horses and parking restrictions to manage neighborhood traffic. The group planned to review draft traffic and sustainability plans in upcoming meetings, aiming for finalized documents by early May to meet a June 2 approval target. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this session, but ongoing negotiations and coordination with multiple entities were highlighted as critical to the successful implementation of the traffic management plan.