By Bob Seidenberg Evanston city officials are looking at securing more off-street parking and establishing resident-only parking zones, responding to concerns from some merchants about the spaces that will be lost under the city’s plan for a protected two-way bike lane for Chicago Avenue. Officials went “back to the drawing board,” Sat Nagar, the senior engineer…
By Bob Seidenberg The main Evanston Public Library site at 1703 Orrington Ave., is among the sites identified as options to serve as the next permanent home of government operations after the city moves out of 2100 Ridge Avenue to temporary quarters early next year. ”It seems to me the fewer buildings the city is…
By Bob Seidenberg Once again, Evanston city staff is pushing for action backing funding assistance for a protected two-way bike lane running nearly the length of Chicago Avenue rather than spacing out discussion on the issue. Officials are recommending Council action on Monday night’s agenda for grant funds from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency (CMAP) to…
By Bob Seidenberg A collection of businesses and individuals in the busy Chicago Avenue area are raising strong objections to city plans for a two-way protected bike lane to run the length of the street, arguing that the project could have a damaging effect on business and urging officials to consider an alternative route. The…
By Bob Seidenberg Bringing a platter of the bakery’s fresh products to the meeting probably didn’t hurt the cause of a couple seeking assistance from the Economic Development Committee Wednesday to establish a bakery at 719 Main St. Sara Rathbun, the co-owner of Button Bakery, brought the platter of scones and pretzels with her to…
By Bob Seidenberg Members of the city’s Preservation Commission at their meeting earlier this month largely agreed that city designs for a protected two-way lane on Church Street west of Dodge Avenue and an expanded shared biking and pedestrian path along McCormick Boulevard pose no adverse effects to the two historic properties in the area…
By Bob Seidenberg With needs far outpacing available funding, members of the city’s Finance & Budget Committee on Tuesday agreed it’s time to address how much debt is acceptable in addressing a growing list of capital projects. Committee members didn’t vote at the end of their discussion, but there was consensus toward developing a policy on…
Filing for office substantially down from four years ago By Bob Seidenberg Barring a successful petition challenge, the races are set for next April’s once-in-four years municipal election, with filings substantially lower than four years ago. Three incumbents — City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza, Fourth Ward Alderperson Jonathan Nieuwsma and Ninth Ward Alderperson Juan Geracaris will…
Council members appear open to expenditure cuts and new revenue sources — including property tax hike By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe has made it easy enough for the City Council to skate by without major changes this budget season, proposing a $342 million budget for 2025 that doesn’t include any new…
By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com Filing is off to a slow start for Evanston’s once-in-every four years municipal election. Twelve candidates filed petitions of candidacy on the first day of filing for next year’s election — Feb. 25, if a primary; April 1, for the General Election. Sixteen candidates filed on the first day of filing…