TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 21, 2020
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 5-year permit to Northwestern University to allow parking and tailgating activities during home football games on North Shore Channel Parcels 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, and 2.08, in Evanston, Illinois. Consideration shall be an annual fee of $80,000.00, subject to proration as set forth herein (Deferred from the May 7, 2020 Board Meeting)
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Dear Sir:
Northwestern University (“Northwestern”) has requested a 5-year permit to allow parking and tailgating activities during home football games on North Shore Channel Parcels 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, and 2.08 in Evanston, Illinois. This permit will cover the 2020 football season through the 2024 season. During each year of the permit term, Northwestern will be authorized to use the subject parcels for 7 or 6 days, depending on how many home games are scheduled for that season. The 2020 home game schedule is as follows:
2020 Season
September 12, 2020
September 19, 2020
October 3, 2020
October 17, 2020
November 7, 2020
November 14, 2020
November 28, 2020
Parking will begin four hours prior to scheduled kick off and all cars must be removed within two hours after each game. Northwestern will be responsible for providing all traffic control officers, parking attendants, and security officers before and after every game. Northwestern will also be responsible for clean up immediately following each game and must restore the premises to its original condition by the following day. Damage that occurs as a result of parking must be repaired by Northwestern at its sole cost and expense.
The City of Evanston (“Evanston”) leases the subject parcels, along with several other parcels along the North Shore Channel in Evanston, for public recreational purposes and for the operation of a public fee golf course. This permit is therefore subject to Evanston’s consent. In addition, the permit will contain a provision that requires Northwestern to perform any soil testing required by the District to ensure that Northwestern’s use of the premises is not causing any environmental impacts.
The District’s technical departments have reviewed this request and have no objections thereto. A permit fee of $80,000.00 is recommended for 7-game seasons, as this is the approximate average amount that Northwestern paid annually for parking and tailgating activities under the prior permit issued by the District for the 2019 season and under prior agreements with Canal Shores Golf Course. This is also within the range of value based on appraisals of comparable property in Evanston. For seasons with only 6 home games, the annual permit fee will be prorated to $70,000.00.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a 5-year permit to Northwestern University to allow parking and tailgating activities during home football games on North Shore Channel Parcels 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, and 2.08, in Evanston, Illinois. Consideration shall be an annual fee of $80,000.00, subject to proration as set forth herein.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:EMA:BJD:vp
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 21, 2020
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