Maple Avenue Development Held Until April

A vote on whether to approve a developer’s request to build a 12-story, 101-unit residential building at 1571 Maple Avenue was held until the Evanston City Council’s April 13 meeting Monday night.

Comments on the issue from the public, Council, Mayor and Centrum Partners, LLC developer proposing the project dominated the meeting with a conclusion reached that the issue be tabled to settle a request from the Council that the development include at least a couple affordable housing units.

After concerns had already been raised about the potential spillover parking affect the development could cause, 5th Ward Ald. Delores Holmes asked whether any of the units would be considered affordable housing. Although the developer has agreed to donate to the city’s fund on the issue, Holmes said it would be better to provide actual units.

“I would like to see some for middle and lower income individuals,” she said.

Most others on the Council, including 7th Ward Ald. Jane Grover and 6th Ward Ald. Mark Tendam, agreed.

While expressing her support for the project’s concept, 8th Ward Ald. Ann Rainey suggested Centrum agree to have five affordable housing units in lieu of having to donate to the city’s fund.

“We have a huge parking garage that was built so parking at these types of buildings wouldn’t be required,” she said - adding that the plan is a “perfect use for this location.”

But members of the public were not as hyped about it.

“Spillover, spillover, spillover. I’d like the Council to do an unbiased study and investigate the assertions made by the developer. Make this smaller scale, add parking and be happy that the developer will still make a handsome profit but not on our dime,” one man said.

“Instead of leasing garage spaces (at the Maple Avenue garage), I feel the developer needs to buy them. He should not be given a free ride to build this without parking and the city needs to recoup its money,” added another.

1st Ward Ald. Judy Fiske seemed to share their viewpoint.

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“While city has embraced transit oriented development for 80-100 years, asking that the parking associated with the building to be almost a half mile away is a problem,” she said. “I don’t think thats reasonable, and it will also have a negative impact on the property value next door.”

Fiske was the lone alderman to vote against the measure even being introduced to the Council earlier this month.

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl shares both concerns - stating that she does not see a great public benefit to the project.

John McLinden, managing partner for Centrum, said there isn’t going to be a parking problem, and if there is - it is his risk.

“There’s not a problem with people who use a car occasionally using that lot,” he said. “People who rely on a car everyday just aren’t going to rent here. If the parking aspect if not going to be successful, I’m the one at risk.”

He said he’d be comfortable shelling out $500,000 to the affordable housing campaign, but didn’t directly respond to inquiries about creating units. He did say rents are expected to be in the range of $1,400-$3,500, with an average one-bedroom dwelling to come in at around $1,900.

McLinden is now tasked with coming back to the floor with a plan all can be comfortable with.

“We expect you to come back with the best you can do,” 4th Ward Ald. Don Wilson said.

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Residents Concerned with Maple Avenue Development Plans