SEA Newsletter Archives
Fall Newsletter - November 2025
The Southeast Evanston Association is relaunching its regular newsletter. We wish to renew our effort to communicate with our neighbors on issues that affect our community. We remain committed to maintaining our advocacy for the shared values that define our neighborhood.
To join our effort, or renew your membership, please visit us at:
www.southeastevanston.org/membership
City Zoning
Below are the core elements of a letter that was sent on September 28,2025 by the Southeast Evanston Association to the Mayor and our Council Members regarding the proposed 31 story development at 605 Davis. In summary, we make 4 key points:
The Council ought to respect the conclusion of our Land Use Commission that voted not to recommend the project in its current form.
The tax abatement that could amount to $40M that the developers are receiving in exchange for affordable housing units is bad for the City and especially the school districts that are in desperate need of funds.
There are too many zoning variants being requested. Zoning is intended to guide development, not to be bypassed to such an extent.
The lack of parking being provided will cause spillover onto residential streets that are already crowded.
What happened? At its November 11, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved the high-rise zoning ordinance on a 5–4 vote. Among the Council Members representing Southeast Evanston, CM Kelly voted No, while Council Members Iles and Nieuwsma voted Yes.
Historical Preservation
Update on HARLEY CLARKE
More than a decade after becoming vacant, the historic Harley Clarke mansion at 2603 Sheridan Rd. is scheduled to reopen in January 2027 as a wedding venue and event space, according to renovator and operator Celadon Partners. The mansion’s future has been up in the air since 2011, and the building has been officially vacant since the Evanston Art Center departed in 2015. In October 2024, City Council picked Celadon’s nonprofit arm for the latest attempt at pursuing a new long-term use for the property — the sixth option pursued since discussions began — and later approved lease terms in March, shortly before the April 1, 2025 local elections. Additionally, there’s a partnership that allows the continued work of the Jens Jensen Gardens group [to maintain the mansion’s grounds].
Chicago Avenue Upgrade - Current Plans and Schedule
At our Annual Meeting, the SEA requested a City of Evanston official attend to update members on their current plans for the Chicago Ave upgrade.
The City received approximately $11M of Federal funds for the upgrading of the Chicago Ave corridor, from Howard to Davis St. in downtown Evanston. They have also applied for $3M in state funding for the same project which is currently estimated to cost about $16M, so the City of Evanston will have to come up with the balance.
The project will create a two-way protected bike lane on the East side of Chicago Ave. The street lighting, traffic signals and cross-walks will also be upgraded along with repaving the whole street.
Current plans have the project starting in 2028. The City of Evanston engineering staff members are currently developing specific plans and will be sharing these with the public.
SEA will stay on top of this development and report back.
Lakefront Protection Ordinance – Update
During the SEA Annual Meeting presentation, the floor was opened up for questions. There were several related to the idea of a Lakefront Protection Ordinance, (LPO), which the SEA has historically been pushing for. The City Engineer, Lara Biggs was able to provide an update.
Council Member Clare Kelly and 3rd ward resident and MWRD commissioner Cam Davis have been drafting a LPO and intend to release it in the coming months. 3rd Ward Council Member Iles has also been involved in this effort.
The SEA will monitor this developing story and let you know what is happening once the draft ordinance is released.
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/11/06/climate-panel-signs-off-on-lakefront-protection-ordinance/
https://citizenportal.ai/articles/5751394/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/City-Council-Approves-Lakefront-Protection-Ordinance-Referral-to-Planning-and-Development-Committee
Note – SEA Board President, John Kennedy has reached out to Council Member Clare Kelly for an update.
Putting Assets to Work – City Initiative
The City of Evanston is launching the Putting Assets to Work (PAW) initiative and wants to hear from you! They have hired a firm to gather community input to help reuse, reimagine and enhance key public properties—including the Police/Fire Headquarters, Civic Center, and Noyes Cultural Center.
They are collecting ideas here: https://evanstonpaw.org/about
Note: The board of SEA feels that the sale of public assets is generally not a good idea. In particular, we feel that the Noyes Center is currently a City of Evanston asset that is serving residents well and needs to be supported.
SEA Board:
John Kennedy –President
Sheila Sullivan – Vice President
Mimi Roeder – Secretary
Martha Ash – Treasurer
Board Members:
John Walsh, Marcus Thimm, Laurie Zoloth, John Storey Williamson, Steve Test, Linda Damashek, and Emily Williams Guthrie (non-voting)
