A proposed ordinance that would turn an Evanston property into a mixed commercial and residential building was held for vote by the Evanston City Council for the third time at Monday’s meeting.
Plans for the proposed high-rise building at 1890 Maple Ave., call for the bottom floors of the property to be used for businesses while the top floors would serve as multi-family residences. The council voted 6 to 3 to table the proposed ordinance after Ald. Ann Rainey (8th) raised a concern about Trader Joe’s, a gourmet grocery chain that has shown interest in using the first floor, a 12,000 sq. foot space.
“I think it would be a crime to vote against it,” Rainey said. She suggested the bill again be tabled rather than defeated.
The building is currently used for joint Northwestern and Evanston technological development and by commercial businesses. The Evanston Plan Commission recommended the proposal to the Council in April, but council members previously voted to table the bill at the meetings on June 11 and 25.
Council members also tabled a proposed resolution that would have authorized the City Manager to sign a 12-year contract with a downtown marketing and management organization and would have extended the agency’s service area.
EVMark was created by downtown property owners to help plan and manage the properties in downtown Evanston. The organization has been criticized by some residents who say it has the ability to make decisions with little public input.
Ald. Steven Bernstein (4th) said he felt the extension was too long, and he added that he did not know enough about the board to approve the extension.
“I’m in tune (with the community) and I hardly knew who was on the board,” Bernstein said. “These are public funds and before we turn the funds to any corporation we should know about them.”
During Citizen Comment, Daniel Kelch, who sits on the EVMark board of directors, recommended to the Council that the resolution pass. He said EVMark is easily accessible to the public, and that the board was willing to continue making itself transparent.
Kelch, also owner of Lulu’s Dim Sum, 804 Davis St., said the board is composed of 23 members who have a vested interest the downtown area, many of whom are small and large business owners. Board members represent the Optima Building, Sherman Plaza, and the Orrington Hotel. The City Manager also sits on the board, Kelch said.
A comment made by the president of the Evanston-North Shore branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also sparked a response by Rainey, and later, a discussion between Rainey and Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (2nd).
George Mitchell said he was concerned about an online message board, which he believed was paid for by the Council, in which four parents posted several negative comments about Oakton Elementary School, 436 Ridge Ave. The school is one of the lowest performing schools in the district and its principal, Q.T. Carter, announced his resignation on June 27.
After his comment, Rainey said she felt his comment was directed at her and that she had to defend herself. She corrected Mitchell and told the Council that the Web site he was referring to, Evanstonnow.com, was a public board for residents of her ward to discuss things on. She added that she personally pays for its upkeep.
Rather than point fingers, Jean-Baptiste said the entire community had to address the problems at Oakton.
Reach Marcy Miranda at [email protected].
