Residents Oppose Idea for 14-Story Building on Emerson Street

Initial plans to build a 14-story complex with nearly 300 apartment units in the 800 block of Emerson Street in Evanston ran into strong opposition at a ward meeting in which the idea was introduced by Northfield-based Focus Development.

Focus is in the preliminary stage of planning a 297-unit building with a mix of 100 studios, 63 one bedroom units, 76 two bedrooms and 58 three-bedroom units in a total 194,700 square foot project, according to the Evanston Review.

But potential parking and sewage problems have nearby residents wary of the plan.

Linda Balla, an Evanston resident, said she is concerned about lack of parking. “To me we’re turning Evanston into Lincoln Park,” said Linda Balla, referring to the potential parking issues that could be related to the influx of Northwestern University students taking up the apartments.

“You don’t need to put that many people in this area, especially when you’ve got E2 over there,” added Joan Hickman, referring to a high-rise just built to the west of the Focus project on Emerson Street.

But Focus Development Director Justin Pelej said the tax revenue and job creation associated with the project would be positives for the city.

He estimated the project would generate $1 million in property tax revenue, four times the $250,000 that he said is currently generated by the site.

more via the Evanston Review