[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6288218,"mediaKeyId","2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d","parentId",2543446,"title","Evanston council directs staff to pursue downtown site, removes city hall return from options","audioSeconds",2760,"startMs",3796000,"endMs",6556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d&start=3796&end=6556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d/thumbnail_3796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288218/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-directs-staff-to-pursue-downtown-site-removes-city-hall-return-from-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288218-d1637b5369f4699e4cbf6e22ba633cc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1777178911&Signature=gIEUjsmb2i9ycgaCpv4xUpPCdJxSz2nPnypFgjnS5BSZ9vYMwA~dz9mhdHf7bjiCEKAQNiTvAH-KWxeG9UIJ0~9udWMnN-jAVaNPYjlS~dHfKd4GcIX4VM92zyVgrjNKL2bmrT1QnpmH1kWhpXoylfoDePzdA5ErUaJ7RGdCLZXEzgzzRrYmRaAzWRB5F0n~WGIUm2VDGQAUMa2ktW6yKhKpQbqXkJqPmXyHUdwBf1u-r8d7g~EH2HH0SsUZGcADvxdYvXOKmtiyGloQBSHTe0csUHIHc0zx9u7D~2u4QWOmsaCBBbzbmLfrIeJxYLwsbRJ7jB8~crIVjbAITmCd4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-03-11T16:46:22Z","article","Evanston’s City Council voted 8–1 on March 10 to direct the city manager to pursue a permanent downtown site for City Hall and to begin planning non‑municipal uses or adaptive reuse for the Civic Center property at 2100 Ridge Avenue.

The motion, moved by Council Member Jonathan Newsom and seconded by Council Member Nussma, removes renovating the existing Civic Center from the list of options being actively pursued and sends staff and the city’s consultant work to the city’s “putting assets to work” initiative to evaluate alternatives, Council Member Newsom said before the vote. “This building is not suitable for its current use,” he told colleagues.

City Engineer Laura Biggs outlined staff estimates for key options. Renovating 2100 Ridge into usable municipal space carried the highest estimated capital cost, while several downtown alternatives — a multi‑floor fit‑out inside the main library, a planned unit development at 900 Clark Street, or building new downtown (the planned unit development option was priced by the developer at about $43.1 million in capital cost) — fall in a lower and similar range. Consolidating into the library, for example, would add an estimated roughly $43.5 million in costs above what the library would spend to renovate for its own needs. Biggs also estimated continuing to maintain the vacant Civic Center at present activity levels costs about $1,000 per day (roughly $29,000 per month) for staff, utilities and contracts, not counting emergency repairs.

Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmiak told the council the immediate effect of adopting the resolution would be to send a clear signal to the development market and allow the consultant-led “putting assets to work” engagement to proceed without the option of “moving back in” to 2100 Ridge as a competing outcome. Zalmiak said that moving forward with the resolution could shorten time to a final transaction by avoiding repeated debate over returning municipal operations to the Ridge property, but he also gave a realistic timetable: from the start of a public RFQ and engagement the full cycle to an executable development transaction and zoning approvals could take 12–18 months.

Supporters of the motion pointed to long‑running facility and functional problems at 2100 Ridge, a public engagement program the city paid $50,000 to run last fall and a scientific poll the city commissioned that staff said found cost and accessibility were the top public priorities. Opponents said the Council’s prior decision to sign a 15‑year lease for interim office space at 909 Davis signaled the move away from Ridge had already begun and argued for more public process before ruling any option out. Council Member Kelly voted against the resolution and described concerns about timing and transparency; Corporation Counsel Alex Ruggie said redacted portions of an earlier RFP had been released under FOIA that afternoon.

The resolution directs the city manager to evaluate downtown options for permanent City Hall, to stop pursuing renovation of 2100 Ridge as municipal offices, and to evaluate non‑municipal or adaptive‑reuse options for 2100 Ridge. The council also authorized staff to use consultant time under the city’s “putting assets to work” plan to run a public process on the property and related public parcels.

Staff said the city will continue routine maintenance of 2100 Ridge during the initial phase of evaluation; if no near‑term redeployment emerges and a longer timeline materializes, staff said they could recommend a mothball strategy that would drain systems and board up the building to limit operating costs but accept a different long‑term deterioration profile. The council did not set a sale or redevelopment timeline in the resolution; it instead directed staff to begin the evaluation work immediately and bring results back during the consultant‑driven engagement.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 21‑R‑25 (permanent relocation of City Hall downtown) — mover: Council Member Newsom; seconder: Council Member Nussma; vote: 8 ayes, 1 nay (Council Member Kelly); outcome: adopted.

Why it matters: The council’s vote narrows the city’s active options for its long‑term municipal headquarters and starts a community and market process that, staff said, could produce a sale, a long‑term lease or some form of public‑private partnership for the Civic Center property. That process also sets an approximate 12–18 month horizon for a final transaction if the city and market progress steadily. The decision has budget implications (estimated tens of millions in comparative capital costs to retrofit downtown vs. Ridge) and will shape downtown planning conversations and future RFPs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evanston City Council Meeting 3-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Evanston’s City Council voted 8–1 on March 10 to direct staff to pursue a permanent downtown location for City Hall and to begin planning non‑municipal options for the 2100 Ridge Avenue Civic Center property.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288203,"City staff warns of federal grant uncertainty; identifies lower‑ and higher‑risk funding streams",228,328000,556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d&start=328&end=556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6288203/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/City-staff-warns-of-federal-grant-uncertainty-identifies-lower-and-higherrisk-funding-streams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288203-be1b23ec337eab3e4457f3a79575ba3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777178911&Signature=CdCEKwsU1PKYz34-NzNFHz5ETswrwYeRDaSA26IASIFp6cL9eU7GVB7U6ppEQOE3WBKEPrSXWcHwG~srNKcROnhch6~UYBbR5X3pKMmMzi2oaiU974rRJ9hZVYvM04abXwq1sZ9hT6zw6n5AoIBHaDfp6dq7JXZRZjSjZ8I7CDULOkRaA4ld2i-CIB6l6-hs4dsMUDEknNAxo4q84NtaPXtZl~XmMSE3LVB-wiI0xEaBUq6J1UDqChUnomG5NxhqmGHWlqBaXRMMBEvcuWRYDM2U7yF1w8ijRs6GXwDWH6B5dXYXSdTnp-S-QNyPQt9JpQ7iQTYgFTOYkPF2~GIcpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council on March 10 that several federal grant programs remain uncertain after recent national developments that briefly froze some awards and left agency offices in transition.

City Manager (presenting) Clark Mendoza told the council staff had tracked communications from federal partners and associations (including the Illinois Municipal League, National League of Cities and others) and that the situation has been “very fluid” as executive actions and legal challenges play out. Staff reported that some programs — for example, certain IEPA grants, the city’s ARPA fund balance, surface transportation program funds, GEMT funding and several public health grants — appear lower risk at present. By contrast, staff identified higher‑risk streams including the Department of Energy’s Inflation Reduction Act program (listed in the presentation at about $10.4 million), a Pro Housing grant, certain HUD funds and an Urban Community Forestry grant; FEMA grants were described as temporarily paused.

Mendoza and staff recommended continuing regular briefings to the Finance and Budget Committee and City Council, logging communications with federal officials, coordinating with other local governments and preserving documentation in case of future legal claims. Council members thanked staff for monitoring the situation; Council Member Burns asked for follow‑up on specific grants, and staff said subject matter experts would provide item‑level detail as requested.

No formal action was required or taken; staff said they would return with updates as agency decisions evolved.

Why it matters: The City relies on a mix of federal grant programs for capital projects, sustainability programs and public health work. Staff flagged several high‑dollar programs as vulnerable to pause or rescission and said the city will continue to track agency guidance and communications so that financing choices can adapt to federal changes.","City staff told the City Council on March 10 that some federal grants the city relies upon are at risk amid changing agency guidance and legal actions; staff identified lower‑risk and higher‑risk funding streams and urged continued monitoring.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288209,"Council approves lease with Celadon to restore Harley Clark mansion; neighbors and garden groups pledge support",7346,1040000,8386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d&start=1040&end=8386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d/thumbnail_1040000.jpg","/articles/6288209/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-approves-lease-with-Celadon-to-restore-Harley-Clark-mansion-neighbors-and-garden-groups-pledge-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288209-74ac21659fdb0ff2b4509dd57c77b46a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777178911&Signature=dslq-2qWWHWvK7242CpLkvbNi1YKoCrgtt-~zotQcy8E5aLe9x1hd43rJJHYiUJFIUhhwZVf9yys5VOag4g4DzdBWZa5g~r7eHfEWYOELq9qMG8RzBYWEqiIbW4KUxO66~JQfAmoJBORQGhXNB6Nqt3WT6Vkrwv71tn-oC3CMB5Y48brvmxCwn1j3WUlhU~fRNWlpK5dhz9Z8VcxCQJVZuHsqFhmYX0nYvc1xGZlGlV4ymKpyMLGMQGW75DI8sYvW3DPvUOGlZd3eOGWBck66l9oS3faN92to3ksxkknVNh1VzWX1uXQTxp-ow5CjvnlM2B9Ig4i1i0Fc1gIU1HD2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on March 10 adopted Ordinance 20‑O‑25 authorizing the city manager to execute a lease with Celadon Construction Corporation for the Harley Clark mansion and adjacent grounds (2603 Sheridan Road). Council Member Nussbaum moved the ordinance and Council Member Wynne seconded; the ordinance passed 7–1.

The lease commits Celadon to rehabilitate Harley Clark’s coach house, greenhouse and mansion and to operate public programming in coordination with local partners, including Jens Jensen Gardens groups who addressed the council. Dozens of public commenters — including representatives of Jens Jensen Gardens, neighborhood associations, and nearby residents — urged approval, saying Celadon’s plan would restore the deteriorating property, expand public program space and support garden stewardship. “Celadon’s investment will benefit the community as a whole,” a Jens Jensen Gardens representative told council.

Parks and Recreation staff explained public‑access limits the lease establishes for the site and noted the lease was revised since the last packet to add specific restrictions on concentrated weekend reservations for the site’s fire pit (the lease sets a cap: no more than 25% of prime‑time weekend reservations per party, and total allocations that reserve 25% of prime time for the city and 50% for community reservations). Parks Director Audrey Thompson said prime time is the weekend (Friday–Sunday) across the season and that staff and Celadon will revisit the reservation policy three years after operations begin to adjust for equity and access concerns.

Corporation Counsel Alex Ruggie confirmed earlier redactions in a proposal packet were not material to the lease decisions; the redacted pages were released under FOIA earlier the same day, Ruggie said. Several speakers raised transparency concerns and asked for specific, enforceable covenants guaranteeing public use of first‑floor space and ongoing public programming; others urged the council to approve the lease to halt further deterioration of the mansion and allow restoration work to proceed.

The lease contains a default provision allowing the city to terminate the agreement if substantial construction does not begin and the site is left idle for a defined period (the tenant may have a cure period before termination). Council members stressed that the public’s access to the grounds and the preservation of the Jens Jensen landscape were priorities; multiple Jens Jensen volunteers said they would partner with Celadon on stewardship and programming.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 20‑O‑25 (Harley Clark lease with Celadon) — mover: Council Member Nussbaum; seconder: Council Member Wynne; vote: 7 ayes, 1 nay; outcome: adopted.

Why it matters: The lease moves a long‑stalled rehabilitation forward for a landmark property and creates a public‑private stewardship arrangement for historic structures and designed landscape; the public‑access terms and a three‑year review clause for fire‑pit reservations were added to respond directly to community concerns recorded during public comment.","The City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a lease with Celadon Construction Corporation for the Harley Clark mansion (Harley Clark Lakehouse and grounds). The lease includes public‑use provisions, a revised fire‑pit rental limit and a three‑year review clause; council adoption followed robust public comment and passed 7–1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288213,"Council adopts Healthy Buildings Ordinance after amendments; rulemaking later will set standards",6791,794000,7585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d&start=794&end=7585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2543446-cece54b45b5049215e1242565cd5c20d/thumbnail_794000.jpg","/articles/6288213/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-adopts-Healthy-Buildings-Ordinance-after-amendments-rulemaking-later-will-set-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288213-d94c763fa997581aeb918110200371cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1777178911&Signature=TWTt9BdQQ8qPQ~my~LqvtNqeuveAQhAiadBDv5S1aSVC1bLwjkLKwvoM2Fq0--ui6nzaP0xs~DGSd49~Uc-LyHugfR2-BmAPxgvtON5ua6-gOEmUR5ZvA3t200cqjh0ecF5fc0y8-hICceII2lIlYHkQJB4XnNAKBMwXGt2I5mR6P3RWp~ynyxV3Eigv31oZTmRPIBP7MxDEJjHhXeSN5rU7SZTMnLBZFUYVe6hZGLIdd8m9p2184SBC~OWyz~PKca6TfXRSWStjh6~e5N2i5A28ZaLiyUxT76Wl3hk1IsnBof1wc86CnA9il7MkovXpcjeHql8FLHNR1aVYRJ9kYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston’s City Council on March 10 adopted an ordinance establishing a building performance framework known locally as the Healthy Buildings Ordinance (HBO). The measure — moved by Council Member Nussbaum and adopted after a package of amendments — passed on a council vote; several amendments clarified rule‑making roles, equity priority designations and stakeholder representation on technical committees.

The ordinance covers large buildings already tracked by the city’s benchmarking program and creates a staged timeline for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; staff and supporters described the HBO as a 25‑year implementation with interim targets and a future rulemaking process to set technical requirements. As adopted, the ordinance makes rule adoption a separate step: no new compliance penalties take effect until council approves rules developed through a technical committee and a Healthy Buildings Accountability Board.

Supporters who spoke during a long public comment period argued the ordinance is an essential local climate step and praised amendments that added building owner representation to technical committees and required affordability and equity considerations during rule drafting. \"None of the scaremongering claims that people have made have materialized,\" said Ryan Wilmington of Illinois Green Alliance; Climate Action Evanston’s Executive Director Jack Jordan asked building owners to participate in the technical committee and urged action for future generations.

Opponents — including local property owners, landlords and lenders who addressed the council in public comment — warned about costs, lender reactions and potential impacts on housing affordability. Speakers said uncertainty about financing and utility upgrades (for example, electrical service upgrades in older buildings) could prompt some owners to sell or lead to rent increases. Several speakers asked council to delay final adoption until rules were drafted. Council Member Reid and others said they share affordability concerns and asked for strong reporting and data during implementation.

Council members debated the amendments and the process. Council Member Nussbaum said the final draft addressed earlier drafting errors and ensured greater stakeholder representation in rulemaking; Council Member Kelly opposed the measure and raised concerns about process timing and risk to residents and condo associations. Council Member Burns moved the packet’s set of amendments; the council voted to adopt the amendments and then to adopt the ordinance as amended.

Key procedural points: the ordinance requires rulemaking before enforcement, adds seats for building owners on the technical committee (including nominations from owner groups), and clarifies that a building is an “equity‑priority building” only after explicit designation by the accountability board rather than by automatic status based on nonprofit or housing designation.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 10‑25 (Healthy Buildings Ordinance) — mover: Council Member Nussbaum; seconder: Council Member Reid; vote recorded in roll call: 7 ayes, 1 nay (Council Member Kelly); outcome: adopted as amended.

Why it matters: The HBO sets a long‑term regulatory pathway for reducing emissions from Evanston’s largest buildings, an important local step in the city’s climate action plan. The council’s adoption puts the city on a path to specific rule drafting, but the most consequential technical and compliance details will be developed later via the rulemaking bodies the ordinance establishes.","After extended public comment and amendment, Evanston’s City Council adopted the Healthy Buildings Ordinance (HBO) on March 10. The ordinance establishes building performance standards with a 25‑year timeline, creates rulemaking bodies with stakeholder representation, and preserves council oversight of rules before they are enforceable.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Evanston council directs staff to pursue downtown site, removes city hall return from options

City staff warns of federal grant uncertainty; identifies lower‑ and higher‑risk funding streams

Council approves lease with Celadon to restore Harley Clark mansion; neighbors and garden groups pledge support

Council adopts Healthy Buildings Ordinance after amendments; rulemaking later will set standards