Local business owners urge easier grants, vetted contractors and protected bike lanes

Kelly Mack, owner of Mack's Biking Goods on Central Street, told the committee she opened her business in March 2020 and has faced steep cost increases: "Our business has experienced cost increases as much of as 80% on essential bicycle components such as bicycle chains," Mack said. She supported proposed initiatives on the agenda but urged that sidewalk-cafe permit fees be reduced, the application process be simplified, protected bicycle lanes be incorporated into streetscape plans and that the Sustain Evanston grant be restored to support interior and efficiency upgrades.

Maggie Peng (Pink and Tan) described her experience using the storefront modernization grant and recounted a stop-work order placed by historic preservation while glass replacement was underway. Peng said the city should provide a vetted list of Evanston-based contractors and clearer internal permit checks to avoid unexpected work stoppages. "Internally, there should have been some checks, you know, if it needed to go through historic preservation, because I thought I was replacing glass," Peng said. Both speakers urged staff to add contractor lists and interior-grant options when the committee revisits storefront and grant programs.