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Evanston Landmarks
In recent years, the City of Evanston has failed to enforce its own
preservation ordinance, leaving the town’s historic resources at risk. In
September – despite protests from the Historic Preservation Commission - the
Evanston City Council approved demolition of a local landmark property at
1218 Elmwood Avenue. This decision on behalf of the City Council sets a
precedent that leaves all individual landmarks at risk, including an
historic house at 1722 Central Street currently under demolition review by
the Preservation and Planning Commissions. |
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Prior to this, the Northeast Evanston local landmark district - approved by
City Council in 2000 - was created to protect historic properties in the
residential neighborhood immediately west of Northwestern University.
Several properties within the boundaries of the district were owned by the
university, which opposed landmark designation and filed suit against the
city. After several years of litigation, a settlement was reached which
removed nine Northwestern properties from the landmark district as part of a
settlement involving $700,000. Shortly after the Northwestern decision, a
developer acquired the former Kendall College block within the same local
landmark district. Contributing structures within this block subsequently
were approved for demolition to make way for a new townhouse development.
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 What Can I Do?
Urge City officials to protect locally designated landmarks from demolition and
support the Preservation Commission in their decisions to not allow demolition
of historic landmarks. Contact City Manager Julia Carroll, 847-866-2936,
citymanagersoffice@cityofevanston.org and Alderman Melissa Wynne, Presiding
Official of Planning and Development Committee, 1130 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL
847-328-5651, mwynne@cityofevanston.org.
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Photography:
Two locally landmarked 19th century frame residences. 1218 Elmwood was
already approved for demolition and 1700 Central is currently under
demolition review.
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