Development Proposals Divide Evanston Council

EVANSTON, IL — Ahead of the arrival of three new alderman next month, the Evanston City Council is divided over plans to develop two new buildings, a nine-story apartment building and an 11-story office building.

The council voted 6-2 on Monday to temporarily reject a proposal to sell a city-owned parking lot on the 1700 block of Chicago Avenue to construct an office development. Developers said they will pay the city between $4 million and $5 million, provide space for more than 500 jobs and generate $1.5 million in annual property tax revenue, according to Evanston Now.

The location is currently a parking lot situated between the Evanston Public Library and beside the Frances Willard House, a national historic landmark, and registered historic places the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Administration Building and Woman's Club of Evanston.

The previous week, the developer behind a proposed 242-unit apartment building at 831 Emerson St. asked to postpone a vote on the project. Three alderman had voted against the project earlier this month, including 1st Ward Alderman Judy Fiske.

"You almost ruined their lives that night," Rainey told Fiske, speaking about the owners of the Emerson Street property who "now are almost broke because of the time and effort spent trying to appease the neighbors," Evanston Now reported.

» Read More: from Evanston Now about the developments on 1714-1720 Chicago Avenue and 831 Emerson St.

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Renderings of 1714 Chicago Ave. Proposal | Courtesy Paul Janicki Architects