Before moving to Evanston’s Grace Lutheran Church, Pastor Luke Harris-Ferree joined a congregation in Seattle at a key moment: Construction had just begun on an affordable housing development in what was the church’s parking lot.

Harris-Ferree watched as a 59-unit affordable housing complex was built on that lot. 

Now, Harris-Ferree and their congregation are looking to put the near-vacant parking lot of Evanston’s Grace Lutheran Church to a similar use. The church is in talks with the city to explore opportunities for an affordable housing development on the lot, a plan Harris-Ferree says aligns with the church’s “social-justice oriented” mission.

In their application to join the city’s Land Use Commission last year, Harris-Ferree said their experience in Seattle made them committed to “housing justice.”

“People say, ‘Don’t just do thoughts and prayers, but do policy and action,’” Harris-Ferree said. “I think what our church tries to do alongside our prayers is this policy and action piece of, ‘OK, we see this need in our community. How can we serve? How can we help make this a better place for people to live — a more affordable place?’”

Both Harris-Ferree and Ald. Juan Geracaris (9th) emphasized that the idea was still in an “exploratory stage.”

Geracaris listed several concepts the city and church are considering. First, the city could purchase the property using its Affordable Housing Fund, then potentially look for a developer. Alternatively, Geracaris said the city could help the church find a developer.

Geracaris said that he was “100% in favor” of either idea.

“We have a big affordability gap here, and anything that we can do to help folks out on that front I think is important,” Geracaris said. 

Geracaris and the city have already begun seeking community input. On Thursday, Ald. Parielle Davis (7th) raised the idea during an online 7th Ward meeting, where residents expressed mixed feelings about the proposal. 

Some, like Tina Paden and Sonia Cohen, said that this was yet another “shady deal,” where a member of a city commission stood to gain from a city purchase.  

Others, like Laurie McFarlane, said they liked the general idea of building affordable housing but wanted to see a more concrete plan. 

Elizabeth Van Nice, a member of Grace Lutheran Church, spoke in support of the proposal. She said suggestions that the deal was unethical were unfounded.

“I just don’t understand why every discussion — whether it’s Northwestern stadium or now this — is about us getting screwed,” Van Nice said.

Van Nice suggested that Harris-Ferree could ultimately recuse themself from a vote if redeveloping the property goes before the Land Use Commission and a conflict of interest arises.

Davis closed the discussion by emphasizing that while negotiations for the purchase price currently remain private, City Council approval would be required for the purchase to move forward. 

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