Northwestern students are returning to campus to see several stories of the Sherman Plaza project have already taken root.
Just a few months ago, the space on Sherman Avenue between Church and Davis streets was a vacant lot. In its place now stands about five stories of a 25-story building set to open next year. Health club giant LA Fitness is the latest business to sign on to the project, which already includes Barnes & Noble Booksellers and an Ann Taylor Loft.
LA Fitness will be opening it’s first Midwest franchise in Sherman Plaza. Chicago-based Lakeshore Athletic Club was in talks to purchase space in Sherman Plaza, but those plans were abandoned earlier this year.
Employees at Evanston Athletic Club declined to comment about the arrival of LA Fitness. But members of the club said LA Fitness might take members from Evanston Athletic Club because the club has no parking garage. Members must pay parking meters or utilize the garage near the movie theaters a few blocks away. Evanston Athletic Club member Clare Kirkpatrick said a parking garage near another club is enticing.
“Parking has been an issue in this location and it’s been a challenge,” said Kirkpatrick, 57, as she left her morning workout Thursday.
“I’m not anticipating going to LA Fitness because of parking, but I can understand how parking can become more of an issue,” said the former cardiology nurse who often drives to the club. “It is something to consider.”
Northwestern junior Stephanie Sherline also frequents the club.
“I just got used to the EAC, so I don’t have a real reason to switch,” she said.
But Sherline welcomes the scenic change a completed Sherman Plaza will bring. The delayed construction gave Sherline difficulties as she rode her bike from her Davis Street apartment to campus and back.
“Coming back from campus was certainly scary,” Sherline said. “There were rocks everywhere and the paths were narrower. A finished plaza will just make the whole of downtown Evanston look a lot nicer.”
The building will include 253 condominiums and 150,000 square feet of retail space. Plans for Sherman Plaza have been in the works for the past five years, and the start date for construction has been delayed several times.
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