Child Care Center Proposed for Empty Downtown Building

Evanston's Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a proposal to bring a child care center to the heart of downtown.

The proposal will go to City Council, and if approved, Bright Horizons Family Solutions will run a daycare center at 1629 Orrington Ave. The building was once home to a Border's bookstore and Walgreen's, according to the Pioneer Press, but has been vacant for about 10 years. It is not the site of the Border's bookstore that closed last year.

The Pioneer Press said Trader Joe's had once considered a store in that space as well.

There are 37 Bright Horizons centers in Illinois, one in Evanston.

"For the location at 1629 Orrington, Bright Horizons has partnered with Evanston Hospital and Northwestern University to provide childcare services currently not being provided for at both institutions," the city said in a packet about the proposal.

The proposal would improve the ground floor and second floor of the building, and includes a rooftop and ground level play area for children.

In its application for a special use permit, Bright Horizons noted that it believes there will be minimal impact on traffic if it moves into the space. The city said peak periods for dropping off and picking up children will be 7:00-9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Board member Clara Weinberg said the opportunity to provide child care and bring business back to downtown Evanston is a "win-win situation."