The Evanston Plan Commission approved a 49-story skyscraper in December, but that has not stopped a grassroots organization from continuing to oppose what they see as out-of-control development downtown.
The Evanston Coalition for Responsible Development formally organized about a month ago. Group members say the coalition is focusing on mounting a collective campaign to oppose the tower planned to be built on the Fountain Square block, rather than designating specific leaders or spokespeople.
Since the proposal was announced last year, it has drawn criticism from community groups but passed during the Dec. 12 Plan Commission meeting by a 4-3 vote. The proposal will go before the Planning and Development Committee early next month.
“The coalition is not opposed to development,” said Bob Heitzinger , a group member and Northwestern music professor. “What we’re opposed to is a tower that is 49 stories tall and out of character with the rest of downtown.”
According to the group, the tower will “explode” existing zoning regulations and fail to provide the public benefits promised by its developers. The coalition is trying to work with community groups such as the Downtown Residents Association to prevent the tower’s approval, Heitzinger said.
“Gentrification, over-development and the radical transformation of the downtown’s character threaten everybody, including merchants, homeowners and students,” said Jeff Green, a group member and private practice attorney.
Students may be among those most affected. Gentrification will cause rents to rise, closing downtown businesses and limiting employment opportunities, Green said.
The group plans to circulate a petition and raise awareness through its Web site. Members said they hope to voice concerns with City Council members before they vote on the proposal next month, Heitzinger said.
On Feb. 5, the coalition will present a forum with Ald. Cheryl Wollin (1st) at Sherman Plaza, which they said they hope will attract NU students interested in getting involved.
“We’re facilitating communication between the public and the City Council, who will have the ultimate say in the project,” Green said. “The facts are on our side, so we think that education is what will carry the day.”
Proponents of the tower argue that the building, which would contain retail space, parking and condominiums priced from about $200,000 up to $2 million, would provide an icon for downtown Evanston and contribute significantly to city tax revenue, said Peter Cummins, a broker of Prudential Preferred Properties. His office is located in the Fountain Square building, on the same block as the proposed tower.
Coleen Burrus, one of the three commission members who voted against the tower in December, said the plan would promote chain stores at the expense of locally-owned shops.
“If you’re bringing in all this development, you’re kicking out the local retailers,” Burris said.
A related concern is that demolishing the existing structure at 708 Church St. will hurt small businesses. There are currently 110 businesses in the building, mostly offices of psychiatrists and specialist doctors on the second floor, according to Burris.
“They’re bringing in people to downtown Evanston, and these people are not only going to their appointments, but they’re paying for parking, buying lunch and doing shopping as well,” she said.
The new tower would be the tallest structure in Evanston, eclipsing the 25-story Sherman Plaza building and the 523 ft. Chase Bank building across the street.
“A lot of people here, and I’m one of them, feel we should measure progress not by quantity of concrete, but by quality of life,” Green said.
Reach Stephen Blackman at
