Evanston consultants outline federal "Putting Assets to Work" plan for three city properties and seek public input

Consultants leading Evanston’s federally funded “Putting Assets to Work” (PAW) planning effort presented the program’s goals and public-engagement plan and answered residents’ questions on financing, reuse constraints and outreach.

“We’re here to explain what’s called the Putting Assets to Work program that we are spearheading for the city of Evanston,” consultant Ryan Porter said, noting the project is supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation planning grant the presentation referenced as the IFAC grant. Porter and his team said the PAW work will produce an initial recommended action plan to present to the city council in the fall after several rounds of ward meetings and larger public meetups.

The PAW effort focuses on three city-owned assets: the city’s police and fire headquarters; 2100 Ridge (the civic center and former city hall, which is on the historic registry); and the Noise and Cultural Arts Center. Porter said each building requires a different approach—ranging from a “light touch” of program improvements to a “heavy touch” redevelopment—and that feasibility and community support will guide recommendations.

Porter described the engagement process as crowdsourced: residents can post…