Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens Proposal Wins Council Vote

Evanston, IL (November 15, 2017) -- Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens (ELHG), an Evanston-based not-for-profit, moved another step closer to its goal this week as Evanston City Council voted to work on an agreement to move forward with the group’s proposal to lease the Harley Clarke House and Coach House.

After dozens of residents spoke strongly in favor of supporting the ELHG plan during Citizen Comment at the Council Meeting on Monday night, Ald. Eleanor Revelle (7th) made a motion to direct City staff to work toward a lease, with Council review and approval scheduled for January 22nd of 2018. The motion passed overwhelmingly with a voice vote.

“This was an exercise in civic engagement, " said Mayor Stephen Hagerty of the crowd of supporters at the Council meeting and throughout the lengthy public process. "Given the untenable nature of other options and the Council's vote, this is the solution we need to rally around if we are to save the house. By doing so we will create programming that benefits our youth, a beautiful place for special occasions, and a community asset for generations to come.”

The ELHG Board, made up of a diverse group of Evanston residents, developed the Lakehouse plan, which was recommended by the City's Harley Clarke Planning Committee, Parks and Recreation Board and Lighthouse Landing Committee in June 2017.

The proposal details the organization’s plan to restore the historic building and Jens Jensen gardens and create an inspiring space for the appreciation of the environment, cultural history and the arts. The plan is consistent in its scope with similar models that have been successful throughout Chicagoland and beyond, and is consistent with the Evanston Lakefront Master Plan, adopted by City Council in 2008.

“We’re so grateful for all of the community support that we’ve gotten over the past several years as we’ve worked on a plan to turn this beautiful and historic property into a flagship community asset for education, cultural tourism and community events,” said Tom Hodgman, ELHG Board President. “We are eager to begin fundraising in earnest now that a lease with the City is within sight.”

To date, ELHG has secured more than $100,000 in financial commitments towards the estimated $5 million project, and the group is currently accepting pledges with the expectation that the City will approve the lease in January of 2018.

Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens (ELHG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit formed in 2015 to restore and repurpose the Harley Clarke property and historic Jens Jensen gardens, while identifying the best possible solutions for its future use in keeping with Evanston’s Lakefront Master Plan. Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens is comprised of a volunteer group of Evanston community members concerned with restoring this landmark property for future generations of Evanston residents while creating an economic engine for long-term financial sustainability. For more information, to get involved, or make a donation visit online at www.Evanstonlakehouse.org .