A near-perfect model of downtown Evanston was the centerpiece of Thursday’s Plan Commission meeting, but the one discrepancy – a tall, trapezoidal tower looming over Fountain Square – caused four hours of heated debate.
The controversial project for 708 Church Street, unveiled in April, would place a 49-story condominium in the heart of downtown, making it the tallest building in Evanston. It would be surrounded by a shorter building with parking and retail.
The project initially hit resistance due to its towering height, which some critics have called “imposing.”
Evanston activist Vito Brugliera referred to the building as an “extended middle finger.” Yet city officials showed an unusual amount of support for the project.
“I think it’s going to be an excellent building,” Ald. Edmund Moran (6th) said. “I think it will be a major draw to the downtown Evanston area.”
Focus Development Inc., and architect Lawrence Booth presented the skeptical audience members, most of whom were older than 40, with street-level computer renderings of the building that included previously requested changes from the commission.
One of those changes was increasing parking from 234 to 271 spaces. The building would have the same space-unit ratio as Sherman Plaza, another Focus project.
Regardless, commission members were quick to question what Booth presented as a finished building. Because the structure exceeds zoning standards by 398 feet, a zoning ordinance states that the building must provide some public benefit. But according to most of the speakers during a three-hour citizen-comment period, there are no benefits.
“Evanstonians are not only sensitive to bulk, but to height. It’s a reason we choose to settle in Evanston and not in the city to our south,” longtime resident and activist Jessica Feldman said. “The project should be sent back to the drawing board.”
Feldman echoed what has been the cry of opponents since last April: Evanston is losing touch with its past by continuing to welcome big buildings from outside architects.
The response from the few supporters was that a high-rise at Fountain Square would show that Evanston is looking toward its future.
The development at Fountain Square would help create an atmosphere similar to Lincoln Park, a Chicago neighborhood that constantly lures young professionals away from Evanston, said a representative of the Young Professionals of Evanston.
“By recognizing the young professional demographic, the city recognizes the future and prepares for it,” he said.
Another selling point for the project is that it has been promoted by Focus as a chance to rejuvenate the somewhat dilapidated south end of the block. Sketches of the building have shown blooming trees and fountains that actually work. Mayor Lorraine Morton recently described Fountain Square as an embarrassment because of its poor maintenance.
Focus President Tim Anderson stressed that any changes to the public streetscape would be completely decided upon and funded by the city, but commission members were under the impression that Focus would be responsible for redoing the entire block.
“It was presented like (the renovation of) Fountain Square was part of the project,” said Albert Hunter, commission chairman and a Northwestern sociology professor.
The citizen comment will continue at the commission’s Oct. 10 meeting, during which Focus also will respond to concerns. Commission members said they were being cautious in their decisions.
“The process shall be a process,” Hunter said. “This isn’t going to be over anytime soon.”
Reach Danny Yadron at [email protected].
