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Evanston committee recommends contract for retail pop‑up incubator pilot, debates procurement
Summary
The Evanston Economic Development Committee voted to recommend a contract for a retail pop‑up incubator pilot intended to reduce downtown commercial vacancies, approving a staff recommendation while some members urged an open RFP instead of single‑source procurement.
The Evanston Economic Development Committee voted to recommend that the City Council approve a contract to pilot a retail pop‑up incubator program aimed at reducing downtown commercial vacancies and supporting local entrepreneurs.
The committee approved the recommendation in a roll‑call vote after a presentation from Claire Sajovic, an urban development and creative strategist who described a three‑phase plan of assessment, a pop‑up/incubator strategy based on survey results, and implementation. “The goal is to reduce commercial vacancy and revitalize retail corridors while making a low risk entry point for these businesses to share their work with the community,” Sajovic said.
Staff told the committee the proposal asks for a $100,000 investment, with about half coming from the city’s entrepreneurship support fund. “We’re asking for an investment of $100,000, half of which is coming from the…
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