Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident warns Evanston faces downtown parking shortage; urges city to consider options
Summary
During public comment, Denise McCormick told the council that downtown parking has been an ongoing problem, that the city is roughly "438 parking spaces shy," and suggested measures such as employee parking allocations, passes for businesses or paid parking; council and staff noted jurisdictional limits on Front Street and said they will continue to explore options.
Denise McCormick, a downtown business owner and resident, addressed the Evanston City Council during public participation to raise longstanding concerns about downtown parking and traffic.
McCormick recounted prior discussions about parking and the privately owned status of the old town hall parcel. She noted that the state controls Front Street (Business Loop I‑80) and that the county will close an underground parking facility on Feb. 1, which will reduce available spaces. In the meeting she stated, "we're still 438 parking spaces shy of what we're supposed to have," and described how employee and client parking demands can leave little on‑street capacity near businesses.
She suggested options including allotting limited employee parking, issuing a small number of off‑street passes for businesses, or considering paid parking, though she acknowledged that prior evaluations found meter revenue might not offset staffing costs. Council members and staff responded that they have discussed many parking options over time, that jurisdictional limits (WYDOT control of Front Street) constrain what the city can unilaterally change, and that the city will continue to look for potential solutions.
Council thanked McCormick for raising the issue; no formal action was taken at the meeting.
