By Bob Seidenberg Janet Alexander Davis, an early civil rights activist whose service and grounded advice has been treasured by generations of Evanston leaders at multiple organizations, was honored with a street segment designated in her name at the June 12 City Council meeting. Evanston City Council members voted unanimously at Monday’s meeting to designate…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Council members gave staff the go-ahead June 12 to move forward with emergency repairs to the elevator that serves the city’s Police/Fire Headquarters, with cost totaling as high as $1.5 million. Staff’s request also touched off discussion about the future of the building the departments share, located at…
By Bob Seidenberg Members of the city’s Economic Development Committee supported holding public meetings on a Council member’s proposal to increase the minimum wage in line with cost-of-living increases. Several committee members stressed the importance of seeking input from the business community on this proposal. Some business owners had expressed frustration at not being able…
By Bob Seidenberg It has been a great year for the city, said Mayor Daniel Biss, leading off his State of the City address on May 23. There’s been a number of really exciting developments and personnel at the City of Evanston that have really enabled us to begin to take off in our achievement…
By Bob Seidenberg The former James King Home, which for years offered gracious living for residents in their retirement years, will likely see new life as an apartment hotel after the City Council acted May 22. City Council members approved owner Cameel Halim’s request for special use zoning to convert the former King Home at…
By Bob Seidenberg A city committee on May 16 backed a number of potential changes to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Ordinance sought by tenants’ groups, such as using screening tools other than credit reports to assess renters’ ability to afford apartments. The city’s Housing and Community Development Committee didn’t take a formal vote, but Council Member Eleanor…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston Public Library officials want more details before they engage a firm to provide security at the main library, 1703 Orrington Ave., where security has been an issue in recent months. Several trustees raised concerns at their May 17 meeting about entering into a contract with Skokie-based Phoenix Security. The city has been…
By Bob Seidenberg The City Council on May 8 allocated $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to set in motion some of the recommendations of the Evanston Thrives report. Last May, the city contracted with Philadelphia-based Interface Studio for a $245,000 study to develop a framework that could enhance the quality…
City Council grants special use to businesses planning to locate in new mixed-use building at Howard Street and Chicago Avenue By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Council members gave the green light Monday to the city’s second cannabis dispensary – as well as a bakery-restaurant – within the five-story, mixed-use Evanston Gateway project close to opening…
By Bob Seidenberg A homeless advocacy group’s controversial bid to establish the area’s first permanent shelter for the homeless moved a step closer May 8 to a final vote. Evanston City Council members voted 6-2 at their regular meeting to introduce approval of Connections for the Homeless request for special zoning at the Margarita Inn,…
