Downtown Residents Association (DRA)
Committed to Maintaining a Neighborhood Community in Downtown Evanston
Committed to Maintaining a Neighborhood Community in Downtown Evanston
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Current Issues
We urge everyone to take action on the following issues. Join
DRA and contact your alderman.
DRA has taken positions on the following:
DRA has not taken a position on the following
initiatives. If you are interested in monitoring or
participating in any of these on behalf of the DRA,
please contact us.
We urge everyone to take action on the following issues. Join
DRA and contact your alderman.
DRA has taken positions on the following:
- The Downtown Plan Committee of the Plan Commission has
been leading a downtown planning process. Residents,
businesses, institutions, and other property owners have
participated throughout the process and have provided their
ideas for the future of downtown. In October 2007, a draft
downtown plan was prepared by Duncan Associates and their
partners, The Lakota Group, 180 Degrees Design Studio,
Goodman Williams Group, and KLOA.
Citizens provided comments on the draft plan at several Plan
Commission meetings. The DRA presented its position and
recommended changes to the initial draft plan at the December
17, 2007 Plan Commission meeting.
- A revised draft plan dated November 10, 2008 was approved by
the Plan Commission and sent to the Planning & Development
(P&D) Committee for review and approval. At a P&D meeting on
December 4, 2008, the DRA presented its position on the
revised Plan Commission-approved plan.
- Further deliberation by P&D is expected at their next scheduled
meeting. See Upcoming Events for dates.
- Commission Recommendation for a Map Amendment
and Planned Development
The Plan Commission has recommended the rezoning of the
property at 708 Church Street from the D2 Downtown Retail Core
zoning district to the D3 Downtown Core Development zoning
district, and to grant Planned Development status for the
development on that site of a 49-story residential and retail
tower, also known as the “Fountain Square Development.” The
708 Church project was approved by the Plan Commission (4-3)
in December 2007 and was then sent to the Planning and
Development (P&D) Committee for review. Citizen comments
were heard at the P&D meeting on March 17, 2008.
At the April 8th P&D Committee meeting, a revised proposal was
presented by the developers for a shorter 38-story structure.
Citizen comments were again heard at the P&D meeting on May
7th. At that meeting, P&D Committee members voted (5-4) to
table the current proposal until adoption of the Downtown Plan
by the City Council. See information on the proposed Downtown
Plan above.
The DRA presented its position on the original proposed project
at the March 17, 2008 P&D Committee meeting. Its position on
the revised proposal was presented at the May 7, 2008 P&D
Committee meeting.
DRA has not taken a position on the following
initiatives. If you are interested in monitoring or
participating in any of these on behalf of the DRA,
please contact us.
- Evanston Lakefront Master Plan
- Public workshops were held in Fall 2007 to obtain ideas and
comments from residents on design alternatives for the
Evanston lakefront. In January 2008, the plan was approved
(9-0) by the City Council as Resolution #7-R-08. The
implementation plan consists of four projects:
- Lighthouse Landing ADA Improvement Project
- Multi-Use Trail Improvements
- Clark Street Beach House and Entry Drive Reconstruction
Project - Dempster Street Beach Non-Motorized Boat Storage
Reconstruction Project
The Parks/Forestry and Recreation Department is now
implementing the Master Plan. Further information on schedules
is available here.
- Environment
- The City of Evanston is committed to adopting best ecological
practices and policies in our government, services, and
infrastructure. Each goal in Evanston's Strategic Plan touches on
"green" or "eco-friendly" practices and policies which is the
primary focus of the City of Evanston's Office of Sustainability.
- The Evanston Climate Action Plan (ECAP) is a proposal outlining
recommendations for measures and policies designed to reduce
Evanston’s greenhouse gas emissions. The draft ECAP was
presented to the public on May 4, 2008 and made available for
community review and comment until June 1st. The final ECAP
was unanimously accepted by the City Council when presented at
their November 10, 2008 meeting.
- Multi-Modal Transportation Plan
- The Evanston Division of Transportation (EDOT) kicked off the
development of the City's first ever citywide Multi-Modal
Transportation Plan (MMTP) in February 2008. The plan is
expected to be completed by year-end. Since then, an
extensive effort has been underway to gather information about
the existing physical condition of the transportation system and
concerns of the residents and City staff.
Further information on schedules and opportunities to participate
is available here.
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