Evanstonians Speak Out: What Needs To Be Changed

The city of Evanston boasts a beautiful lakefront, world-class University, historical neighborhoods and several thriving business districts.

But, as we know, no city is perfect. And there is still room for improvement, even in Evanston.

We recently took to the Evanston Patch Facebook page to learn what needs to be changed or improved in Evanston. The responses were well-thought and diverse.

Free beach access was a response by several.

“At least for residents, Crikey,” quipped Liz Gustafson. “Cheaper beach access AND cheaper property taxes, please,” added Lorrie McClain.

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Others thought some resurfacing, namely on Green Bay Road, would be a good thing.

“That road is a disaster,” said Robert Orenstein. “Fix the pitted surface.”

Hilde Kaiser concurs with the Green Bay Road statement, and also says renovations need to take place at some of “the more hideous Metra underpasses.”

Parking was also an issue for Kaiser and others.

“Change the parking limit downtown to 3 hours, not 2,” Kaiser said. “Add more stickers identifying what zone parking spaces are in, for more seamless use of the parking app. Relax parking restrictions in neighborhoods near Lighthouse Beach - where the lot parking is completely inadequate.”

Andrew Zwick would like to see less parking tickets handed out and “all the bad meters fixed.”

Kimberly Carlson and Rachel Lipson mentioned the pedestrian crosswalks throughout the city.

“For pedestrians in downtown Evanston to learn how to cross the street (ie. not to walk when there is a red light, especially when a car is coming right at them, etc.),” is what Lipson said she’d like to see.

Carlson said enforcement of the walks needs to be improved.

“Dodge Avenue just south of Main is the worst - it’s like a drag strip,” she said. “Just last week I was in the middle of the crosswalk when a police officer almost ran me over.”

Lighting was an issue for two respondents.

Jeremy Vannatta would opt to “get rid of the useless traffic lights like the one at Dempster and Elmwood,” while Cynthia Voelker said the “completely ineffective street lights that do NOT light the street or sidewalks and do practically nothing for providing illumination for safety” should be replaced.

“They shine like a landing strip in the houses and apartment buildings and contribute significantly to light pollution and are a waste of electricity,” she said. “They might look nice but that’s about all they are good for.”

Riding your bike on the sidewalk in Evanston is apparently a no-no.

“No bicyclists over 16 on the sidewalks!,” said Annie Harris, while another respondent said she has seen “an ADULT cyclist nearly hit my 2 toddlers and then yell at me because my kids were “walking all over the place” on the sidewalk” in the 1200 block of Elmwood.

A more efficient city government is the hope of Noe Villegas.

“Eliminate or consolidate services. Privatize others. Reducing government spending thus reducing the need to keep raising property taxes.”

Other ideas:

Michael Petroshus - The 201 to run on Sundays.

Javi Javs Molotla - Actually street cleanings on Wednesday. I don’t like the messy streets around town.

Rachel Taft Hanrahan - Indoor gym & pool like the Park center in Glenview.

Faith Albano - Get rid of those pay stations in the lot by the library. I’m at the library quite a bit for short periods to pick up or drop off a book. You wouldn’t believe how many people are confused by those stations and how they work.

Jamie Barnes - Can the city patch the potholes on Dewey - between Oakton and Main?

DID WE FORGET SOMETHING? Was your issue not brought up? Let’s keep the conversation going with some feedback in the comments section below or on the Evanston Patch Facebook page.