Evanston residents who live near Hinman Avenue and Clark Street said Northwestern’s plans to add two new parking lots will decrease property values and disrupt their neighborhood.
NU administrators met with the residents Thursday at 1801 Hinman Ave. for the second time to discuss the parking additions. They were invited to view changes made to the plan after they voiced concerns at an initial meeting held Sept. 14.
One proposal is to create a 21-space paved lot on university property across from the Office of Undergraduate Admission at the corner of Hinman and Clark. The lot would be reserved for prospective students, their parents and other visitors to 1801 Hinman Ave.
The second proposal is for a 52-space gravel lot behind Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national headquarters at 1856 Sheridan Road. The space would provide overflow for admissions parking and additional spaces for faculty, staff and students.
SAE agreed to lease the space to the University for eight to 10 years.
Eugene Sunshine, NU’s senior vice president for business and finance, has visited several universities and said that NU needs to offer more parking, especially for prospective students.
“Most universities that we compete with have visitor parking available right on campus,” Sunshine said. “We see it as a win-win situation.”
The number of spaces proposed for the first lot was reduced in response to comments made by residents at the Sept. 14 meeting. The modified lot also would be moved farther away from Hinman and include more landscaping as well as an exit leading to an alley to the west to reduce traffic on Hinman.
Ron Nayler, NU vice president for facilities management, addressed residents’ concerns voiced at the first meeting. He showed community members that more trees would be replaced than lost. He also described 12-foot lighting fixtures.
“This is enough to keep the lot lit and safe but not too bright for a budding residential neighborhood,” Nayler said.
All eight community members who spoke at Thursday’s meeting were opposed to the proposed parking lots.
Sharon Watrous, who lives near the proposed lots, said she still was concerned about the plans after the university made adjustments.
“The university has responded to concerns,” Watrous said. “The community has held meetings and is opposed to the lot.”
Residents suggested making on-street spots near Clark and Hinman two-hour parking. The area currently is 24-hour parking and according to one resident, “the same cars are parked there for weeks at a time.”
Administrators said they would look into the suggestion, but they said more lots were needed to solve the problem.
Community members and university officials agreed that further meetings are necessary. Both lots would require the approval of the Evanston City Council.
