Northwestern students would not be the only ones to lose part of their community if the university goes ahead with plans to fill in part of the Lagoon, some Evanston residents are saying.
About 70 residents have signed an online petition to stop the replacement of four acres of the 19-acre Lagoon with a parking lot and pedestrian mall that eventually would make way for academic buildings.
Since the project was announced Feb. 5, the residents have joined about 6,800 students, alumni and friends of the university in signing the petition. The petition is partially inaccurate, and some signatories’ identities cannot be verified.
But resident Maria Finitzo is among those who said she enjoys the area and would not like to see the view from the Lakefill altered. Having lived in Evanston for 13 years, she remembers taking her now-teenage children for walks at the Lakefill when they were younger. Although her children do not join her much anymore, Finitzo still frequents the Lakefill to walk her dog and run.
“The Lakefill has always been a beautiful part of the community,” she said.
Other residents mirror Finitzo’s concerns.
Longtime area resident Tom Quish said that during the summer, he and many other Evanston residents enjoy the area when NU students are not around.
“In summertime I like to stroll along the beach, and to walk around the Lagoon and hit a parking lot would greatly detract from the experience,” Quish said.
Although many residents do use the Lakefill area, Ald. Arthur Newman (1st) said the city can do little to prevent construction on the Lagoon.
Newman, whose ward includes about half of the possible Lagoon reduction, said he does “share concerns” with those opposing the university’s actions. But because the project falls within NU’s rights as a landowner, the council has no discretion over how the land is used.
Evanston resident Julie Cowan said she was concerned about the lack of communication between NU and the community on the project. She said because the Lagoon is used by both students and residents, the university should seek their input before making the decision.
“I think that anything that is going to have an environmental impact should be considered and discussed first,” Cowan said.
Newman said the project exemplified the poor communication between NU and the community. If the university does not require city approval, Newman said they frequently do not open their deliberations to the public.
“One of the concerns people in my ward continue to have … is that the meetings are held in private without public input,” Newman said at Monday’s council meeting.
Environmental concerns also bother Evanston resident John Davies. Davies, a 13-year resident, said he enjoys playing boomerang and flying kites with his family on the Lakefill and does not want to see future developments detract from the beauty and the environment.
“I was bummed out when I heard this because I know this will lead to future development,” Davies said. “I don’t think this will be good ecologically.”
