Demolition begins at Northwestern University’s Ryan Field

Demolition has begun on the 98-year-old Ryan Field at Northwestern University.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the demolition will make room for a new state-of-the-art stadium for football games and concerts.

Northwestern announced in late January that demolition would begin as early as Jan. 29 but was delayed until last week. The city of Evanston, Illinois, awarded the demolition permit was awarded to Northwestern on Feb. 8 after the university had fulfilled all requirements, and demolition efforts started Feb. 16.

The Chicago Tribune reports that demolition is expected to take three to four months with the construction of the $800 million stadium to be completed for the 2026 college football season. The university has yet to announce where the Wildcats will play in the interim.

Demolition of the stadium has received criticism from residents of Evanston and neighboring Wilmette, who seek to prevent the commercialization of the new stadium in a residential neighborhood.

Residents have argued that traffic congestion, noise, parking difficulties and other issues would be among the possible impacts of the new stadium, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Evanston City Council voted 6-2 to approve the demolition and rebuild of the stadium.