By Bob Seidenberg Veronica Reyes, a longtime resident of the city, has worked the past 15 years as a cashier in food service for Northwestern University. When the university replaced food service operators Sodexo and Aramark with the Compass Group in 2018, she told members of the city’s Human Services Committee Wednesday night, “there was…
By Bob Seidenberg Members of the city’s Preservation Commission raised concerns Tuesday about height and density changes proposed for the Chicago Avenue corridor, leaning toward dividing zoning on the street to blunt the impact on homes in the Lakeshore Historic District, which sits just behind it. No final votes were taken. Boiled down, though, the…
By Bob Seidenberg All but one member of the Evanston City Council will now face opposition in the April 1 municipal election, with candidates stepping up to wage write-in campaigns in the city clerk and Fourth Ward races. Vanessa Johnson-McCoy, in the city clerk’s race, and Margaret “Meg” Welch, vying for the Fourth Ward…
By Bob Seidenberg The Five-Fifths Tax Increment Financing district, the newest of the city’s five active TIF districts, has already amassed close to $1.4 million in incremental revenues — funds that officials are looking to tap to improve housing quality and maintain affordability within the district. City Council members established the Five-Fifths TIF in October…
Owner says a couple of new locations are possibilities By Bob Seidenberg Edzo’s Burger Shop at 1571 Sherman Ave., known for its fresh-made burgers and creative toppings, will be closing this Saturday, Dec. 21st, after 15 years, its founder Eddie Lakin wrote in a Facebook post a short while ago. Lakin said he’s exploring other…
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…
