Evanston has received word that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide initial studies on the possibility of building a marina in the city, but construction wouldn’t begin until most of Northwestern’s current students graduate.

The marina would provide a facility for sailors to anchor and launch their boats.

The complete study — consisting of four phases — will not conclude for at least four years. The federal government-sponsored Phase One of the study is scheduled to end in May 2004 and will involve surveying citizens to determine the demand for a marina among members of the community. This first segment also will examine the project’s possible economic and environmental effects, as well as the effect a marina would have on area parking and traffic.

When Phase One is completed, the Evanston City Council will evaluate the results and decide whether to continue or halt the project.

In the remaining three segments of the study, researchers would determine the feasibility of construction, develop a design for the project and finally build the marina.

Ald. Steven Bernstein (4th) proposed the concept for the marina about two years ago. The possible site lies in the ward of Ald. Melissa Wynne’s (3rd), but as of Tuesday evening she and Bernstein were unavailable for comment.

Ald. Gene Feldman (9th) said he is hesitant to comment on the marina’s place in the community.

“It’s very early in the study and investigation,” he said. “I don’t know if it would hurt or help at all. I do think it’s worth looking into.”

Some Evanston residents living near the lakefront are skeptical about the marina and say it would not enhance the quality of life in the community.

According to Evanston resident Dona LeBlanc, the marina study is examining a section of the city where she lives — the South Beach area near Sheridan Road and the Calvary Cemetery.

LeBlanc said the marina might be nothing more than an aldermanic attempt to put Evanston “on the map.” She expressed concerns about parking and pollution problems resulting from marina traffic.

Local residents use the lakefront near the proposed site constantly, LeBlanc said.

“This would benefit very few people,” she said. “Any infringement on access to the lakefront hurts the common person.

“It’s a waste of money. People are starving and we’re spending money on something that people are going to eyeball and say, ‘Bad idea.'”