Council approves sale of 1222 Washington to ETHS for student-built affordable home amid neighborhood objections

The Evanston City Council voted 8–1 on April 14 to approve Ordinance 29-O-25 authorizing sale of the city-owned parcel at 1222 Washington Street to Evanston Township High School (ETHS) for use by the school's Geometry & Construction program. The vote followed extended public comment in which neighbors urged the site be preserved as a community garden for local children and the Lydia Home (formerly Rice Center).

Council member Neussmann moved the ordinance to authorize the sale; the motion was seconded and, after debate, passed by roll call with eight voting in favor and one opposed. Council discussion addressed the competing aims of producing affordable housing through a longstanding ETHS program and neighborhood requests for additional green space and tree canopy.

Residents who spoke opposed the sale and asked the council to delay or to instead create a community garden. Chelsea Elward, who lives across the street from the lot, urged councilors to “don’t cut down the trees” and said the parcel would “be a legit green space” used by local children and the Lydia Home. Joe Cirillo and several neighbors read letters from Lydia Home staff and former residents describing therapeutic and educational benefits from nearby green space.

Supporters of the sale said the Geometry & Construction program is a cost‑effective way to create permanently affordable homes and to teach trades to ETHS students. Council member Hedekaris (spoke in support) described the program as “probably one of the best things we do here as a community,” and noted the Land Use Commission previously approved the lot split needed for the project. Council members who voted in favor said the house will remain affordable in perpetuity through a land trust and argued the small, single‑family home will not produce the traffic or parking consequences opponents warned about.

Council members and staff also discussed mitigation steps: landscaping and native plantings, a possible curb cut for off‑street parking, and partnering with community volunteers to complete site landscaping after construction. City staff said ETHS and community partners typically perform landscaping when student-built homes are finished.

The ordinance authorizes the city manager to execute a sale contract to ETHS. The council record shows an 8–1 tally; Council member Suffreddan cast the lone no vote. The purchaser is ETHS; the property will be used for the Geometry & Construction program home and will be governed by the land trust and affordability terms agreed in the sale contract.