The demolition of the Sherman Avenue parking garage has been delayed — again.

Although Evanston’s City Council approved a shopping, housing and parking project for Sherman Avenue in 2001, city officials said they aren’t ready to demolish the existing garage because the developer still needs to gain full financial backing.

The Sherman Plaza project, set to occupy nearly the entire block of Sherman and Benson avenues between Church Street and Davis Street, will comprise a retail section, a 25-story condominium structure and a 12-story parking lot.

In mid-January, City Manager Roger Crum told The Daily demolition would begin March 1. On Wednesday he said the date won’t be met.

“I can absolutely tell you that between now and Monday, the garage will not be demolished,” Crum said.

Developer James Klutznick, of Thomas J. Klutznick Co., could not be reached for comment.

Maureen Barry, senior assistant to the city manager, said she didn’t know if the city set firm plans for a date. She said the city did not want to start demolition before Klutznick is ready to build.

Crum said the city’s financial plan is ready, but not Klutznick’s.

“He has to get his full bank financing,” Crum said.

Delays on the garage demolition and plaza construction have occurred every financial quarter for the last three years, said Dick Peach, president of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.

Peach attributed the delays to the financial market. Klutznick initially couldn’t fill the retail spaces but had financial backing, Peach said. When Klutznick found the retail, he faced the opposite problem.

Peach said he could not speculate on a demolition date.

“When I see the wrecking ball,” he said, “I’ll know it’s time.”