By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com Evanston officials have turned to a Philadelphia, Pa., firm to conduct a comprehensive study of the city’s business districts and suggest ways the city can realign itself in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. Members of the city’s Economic Development Committee recommended April 27 that the city enter into a $245,000…
Mediterranean/European-style café with festoon of lights and umbrella-shaded tables. Open for coffee in the morning, moving to a wine café in the evening. Foods will be light fare that is good for grab-an- go or picnic-appropriate. Hoping to become a hub for cyclists, kayakers, runners and yoga participants…a place to refresh, recharge and socialize with…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston Parks and Recreation Board members offered eight reasons at their Feb. 17 meeting for the city not to adopt a Council member’s proposal to end park closure times. Members of the City Council’s Human Services Committee touched on a number of these at their May 2 meeting, voting 3-2 against sending…
By Bob Seidenberg Snapper Poche took his listeners on a verbal ride through his government career, from his stint as Director of Code Enforcement in post-Katrina New Orleans to dealing with blighted properties as head of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. “It’s a passion for me, and it’s an area of deep interest and…
By Bob Seidenberg Alcohol is not prohibited in Evanston and indeed the substance is “flowing through many livers,” in the city, observed Eighth Ward City Council Member Devon Reid at the city’s April 27 Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting. Alcohol also has a number of detrimental health effects, particularly when overconsumed, Reid noted. Yet it…
By Bob Seidenberg Two city-owned properties at 1805 Church St. and 1708-10 Darrow Ave. lie within the West Evanston tax-increment financing district and are slated to be redeveloped several years down the road. Instead of sitting unused until then, though, one city council member is proposing that officials consider placing two street-soccer pitches – compact-sized…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston has employed a lobbyist representing the city’s legislative interests off and on for more than four decades. The lobbyist has been the city’s point person in Springfield, and occasionally in Washington, advocating for the city’s needs and securing some major grants. One of those, funding the Clark Street CTA underpass and…
By Bob Seidenberg Starting from scratch nearly a year ago, a city team is now moving closer to a final design for a state-of-the-art skate park at Twiggs Park, which lies along the North Shore Channel between Green Bay Road and Bridge Street. At a public meeting held via Zoom April 5, officials presented two…
By Bob Seidenberg Police are investigating whether there are any additional victims after a recording device was discovered last week in a washroom used by employees at the downtown Whole Foods store, 1640 Chicago Ave. An employee at the store has been charged with one count of unlawful video recording, after one victim was identified…
By Bob Seidenberg Family and friends broke into applause after Evanston City Council members officially approved a resolution March 28 that designated a portion of McDaniel Avenue between Nathaniel and Greenleaf streets in honor of William “Bill” Logan, Jr., the city’s first Black Police Chief, for his service to the community. Council members voted 7-0…
