All Stories
Preservation board raises concerns about Noyes center renovation
$22 million cost estimate spurs discussion By Bob Seidenberg Some Evanston Preservation Commission members raised concerns at a recent meeting that a feasibility study recommending a $22 million renovation of the more than 130-year-old Noyes Cultural Arts Center is a…
Finance & Budget Committee members question ARPA administrative costs, projects ‘at risk” of moving forward
By Bob Seidenberg At a meeting this week, some members of the city’s Finance and Budget Committee raised concerns about the high costs of administering the federal COVID-19 recovery program and pushed for a fuller accounting. Council Member Clare Kelly…
City Council split on migrant housing shelter plan
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Council members took a step back Monday on a proposed plan to convert a vacant downtown office building into a temporary shelter to house migrants, asking whether the site was the right fit. The council,…
Not just another day at the beach
Lee Street Beach proved popular spot to view Monday’s eclipse By Bob Seidenberg It’s still too early in the year for swimming at the city’s Lee Street Beach. But it turned out to be an ideal place to catch the…
Envision Evanston 2045 off to a fast start
By Bob Seidenberg The Envision Evanston 2045 process is off to a fast start, garnering more than 900 responses from residents about what they’d like to see in the city’s major revision of its zoning code and comprehensive plan. In…
Council wrestles with homelessness, including Howard St. encampment
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Council members have delayed until May consideration of a plan to aid the city’s unhoused population, including addressing an encampment at the Howard Street viaduct on the city’s far south side. After concerns from colleagues,…
Purchase of $2.3 million new fire truck receives Council backing
Reserve truck facing major repairs has ‘put us in a bad place,’ says fire chief By Bob Seidenberg Evanston Fire Department officials received City Council support Monday to move ahead with plans to purchase a $2.3 million new ladder truck,…
Council OKs $180,000 to buy electric leaf blowers for landscapers
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Council on Monday approved a plan to make a bulk purchase of electric leaf blowers, batteries, chargers and other equipment to help local landscapers who have had difficulty making the transition away from gas leaf…
7 a.m. liquor service on tap to be discussed at Council committee meeting Monday
By Bob Seidenberg Restaurants could start selling alcohol as early as 7 a.m. seven days a week, under a change to go in front of the City Council’s Administration & Public Works Committee at their Marc 25 meeting. The change…
Staff proposes bulk purchase to help local landscapers afford electric leaf blowers cost
By Bob Seidenberg Local landscapers maintained that cost was a major barrier transitioning to electric-powered leaf blowers after a city ordinance went into April 1, 2023, banning the use of gas-powered or propane-powered devices because of their noise and harmful…