Concern Raised Over Northwestern's Planned Baseball Scoreboard

EVANSTON, IL - A new right field scoreboard is in Northwestern University’s plans for a renovated baseball stadium in northeast Evanston, but it’s residents of nearby Wilmette who take issue with the endeavor.

The 34-foot scoreboard will be located about 100 feet south of Isabella Street is approval on the project is granted by the Evanston City Council, according to the Evanston RoundTable. It will be in Evanston’s Rocky Miller park and directly face the southern tip of Wilmette at Isabella Street and Ashland Avenue.

Wilmette resident Celene Peurye-Hissong told the city’s Planning and Development Committee this month the scoreboard will “have a negative effect on property values” and impact traffic and safety.”

Evanston Now reported that Wilmette residents had to be told not to interrupt several times while a University spokesperson was answering questions alderpersons had on the project during the committee meeting.

Another public complaint warned the use of advertisements, specifically mentioning Coca-Cola, would harm the children who walk in the neighborhood and would have unobstructed views of the new scoreboard, which would only be used during Northwestern baseball games from March through May.

It is part of a larger renovation project at the park which includes new seating, ticket booths and restrooms, according to the Daily North Shore.

Other complaints made at the most recent meeting on the topic claim that Teska Associates, Northwestern’s architect on the project, did not show rendering of the project accurately before it was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.