State Partnership Could Spare Harley Clarke Mansion: State Reps

EVANSTON, IL — Two state representatives for Evanston have written letters to city officials asking them to not to demolish the Harley Clarke mansion. Rep. Robyn Gabel, an Evanston resident, and Rep. Laura Fine, who is running for the Illinois Senate's 9th District, joined U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in voicing support for a delay on the city's planned demolition of the house in order to find a way to preserve it. The city's application for permission to demolish the building comes before the Evanston Preservation Commission later this month and voters will have an opportunity to weigh in on an advisory referendum in November's general election.

In letters to Mayor Steve Hagerty, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz and members of the Evanston City Council, the state reps suggested a potential partnership with the state could be an option for preserving the site.

"The Harley Clarke mansion is the only accessible public lakefront building that is open to everyone in our community," Gabel wrote in a July 23 letter. "Saving that opportunity for all races, ages and abilities is worth taking more time." She called for "all possible options" to be "exhaustively explored" before demolition, hinting that potential changes in Springfield following next month's election could open up new possibilities for the site.

"I believe new opportunities to investigate a partnership between the state and the city may open up after the November elections," wrote Gabel, who is running for her fifth term in Illinois House. "It would be a mistake for the city to foreclose future possibilities by the irreversible destruction of a public asset."

Fine, whose 17th District seat includes part of Evanston and who seeks to represent the whole city if elected in to the seat currently held by Sen. Daniel Biss, told city officials she had been hearing from constituents concerned about the mansion's future.

"For many residents, Harley Clarke represents the city's cultural and historical heritage," Fine wrote in a Sept. 17 letter. "For this reason I am urging the city not to demolish the landmark structure, but instead grant all sides more time to research all options for a creative solution." She said the issue was a passionate one for many residents and deserved a thoughtful process.

The fate of the city-owned landmark has been the subject of intense debate through a series of proposals over more than five years. The building served as the home of the Evanston Arts Center for about 50 years, but the group deferred needed maintenance on the structure. An offer from retired Col. Jennifer Pritzker's Tawani Enterprises to purchase the property and convert it into a boutique hotel was rejected after residents campaigned to keep it public. A deal to use it for offices for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources fell through after the governor's mansion changed hands in 2014, with department officials citing the city's unwillingness to part ways with the land. The mansion and coach house have remained vacant since the art center's departure in 2015.

Following a 2017 request for proposals to lease the building, a group called Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens entered into lease negotiations with the city. Concerns over financial risks to the city and the viability of the group's plan led to a 5-4 vote in April to cut off lease negotiations. A few weeks later, a group called Evanston Lighthouse Dunes publicly revealed an offer to pay for the cost of demolition and expand the city park that surrounds it. The City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the group in July and Bobkiewicz signed an amended version on Aug. 27.

Donors to the demolition effort include Ald. Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, who faces a pair of pending ethics complaints related to her advocacy on behalf of the pro-demolition group, and former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, according to the city's website. As of Sept. 28, the group had raised $350,425 from 44 individuals and two foundations. The memorandum of understanding with the city gives the group until Oct. 28 to make a $400,000 payment to defray the costs of demolition.

Fine acknowledged concerns over the cost of keeping the building. Aldermen have shown little or no interest in putting any taxpayer money toward repairs needed to make the building usable, which have been estimated at anywhere from $500,000 to several million dollars, depending on how much work is done. With the city facing a $7.4 deficit and the city manager's office recommending the elimination of the equivalent of more than 38 full-time positions, any solution would likely have to come at no cost to Evanston taxpayers to win City Council approval.

"As an elected official, we have to be stewards of taxpayer dollars, but we are also tasked with protecting and preserving our cultural, historical and natural resources," Fine wrote. "The Harley Clarke mansion and the land it sits on is such a resource." Like Gabel, she also suggested exploring a partnership with state government. One possible partnership, an aide to Fine told the Evanston Review, might involve the Illinois Department of Natural Resources coordinating the conversion of the site to a state park and the transfer of ownership from the city to the state.

City staff have filed an application for a certificate allowing for the demolition from the Evanston Preservation Commission. According to the application, the mansion and coach house "are not a prime example of one particular architectural style or design," the buildings currently "present a danger" to occupants and the demolition will "restore the original condition of the property to its natural state." A hearing to consider it is set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. Should the application be rejected, the City Council will have another opportunity to vote to override the commission, and the city may then seek a demolition permit.

Ald. Eleanor Revelle, whose 7th Ward includes the mansion, submitted a formal request to the City Council to allow groups to be able to access the site prior to the commission's hearing. CEO Of Landmarks Illinois Bonnie McDonald and Evanston Preservation Commission Chair Diane Williams each penned letters to city officials offering to provide updated expert reports at no cost to the city. Revelle's request is set to be considered Oct. 8.

A citizen-initiated advisory referendum will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot in Evanston. Voters will have the opportunity to vote "yes" or "no" on the question, “Shall the City of Evanston protect from demolition and preserve the landmark Harley Clarke buildings and gardens next to Lighthouse Beach, for use and access as public property, consistent with the Evanston Lakefront Master Plan, at minimal or no cost to Evanston taxpayers?”

The Central Street Neighbors Association is holding a forum to discuss the referendum, the status of demolition talks and background on how the situation with the mansion has developed. The neighborhood association said speakers representing the Save Harley Clarke group, the referendum's sponsor, and Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens, the group that entered unsuccessful lease negotiations with the city to operate out of the mansion, have confirm they will attend. Representatives from the Evanston Lighthouse Dunes group and the Evanston city staff were also invited, but they both declined the invite, according to the association. The event is scheduled for at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Chandler Center at 1028 Central St.

Read the complete letters from Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) to Mayor Steve Hagerty, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz and members of the Evanston City Council:

Related:

• Evanston Alderman Accused Of Multiple Ethics Violations
• Harley Clarke Mansion Demolition Donation Deal Signed
• Harley Clarke Referendum Cleared To Appear On November Ballot
• Aldermen Approve Amended Harley Clarke Demolition Agreement
• City Council Rejects Lease Of Harley Clarke Mansion To Nonprofit Group

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