Northwestern Thanked for Its Role in Trader Joe's Deal

Kevin O'Connor February 22, 2012 at 03:41 pm

It is beyond irony that Mayor Tisdahl, when she served her 6 year aldermanic tenure representing the 7th ward, and her fellow Council members wanted to have nothing to do with Northwestern. Now that she is Mayor, she and her handpicked successor in the 7th ward Alderman Jane Grover (not announced until after the race, because of many disagreements with 7th ward constituents during her impotent aldermanic tenure) will stop at nothing to help Northwestern now. I have no problem with Northwestern, they're solvent, their investments have done very well for their endowment over the years and they are generally a good neighbor. Why, the COE even gave N. U. campus police the right to write tickets off campus on City owned property & streets because of increasing crime around University neighborhoods. Who will write fat tuition checks to N. U. and send their kids to an unsafe campus environment? I should also add that before Mayor Tisdahl ran for Mayor, I e-mailed her suggestions that she and her fellow aldermen not fight with N.U., but leverage Kellogg's intellectual capital to have an unrestricted study as to why the COE was so mismanaged financially, organizationally etc.. Naturally, the future Mayor thanked me for my suggestions and then used my ideas for her campaign literature. I don't mind plagiarism, but I do mind that Evanston continues to spend money we don't have, taxes and fees have gone way up, while the level of services goes way down. Trader Joe's won't save us.

John Brinkmann February 22, 2012 at 07:21 pm

okay, let me see if I got this straight---to the south we have the 500 block of Hamilton next to Warren's Shell Station, and to the west we've got Chicago Ave with Jewel/Osco plus other stores and real estate, and to the north along Dempster it's all retail space, and to the east it's all houses along Hinman Ave.----so how is it that NU could possibly own the alley???---gotta be a great story behind this one

Emily Stone (Editor) February 22, 2012 at 10:27 pm

Interesting point, John. Let me see what I can find out.

lucas February 22, 2012 at 11:08 pm

John I wondered that myself? And if they do why?

Jersey Girl February 23, 2012 at 04:16 am

Read the story on evastonnow - much better and will clear up any confusion - NU actually owns a house that is in the mix. Also, TJ is not moving into the Blockbuster but building on the parking lot and then demonlishing the original Blockbuster and LA Tan building for parking according to this stoyr.

Seymour Taylor February 23, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Even if they do own a house that is in the mix, how do they end uo owning the alley as well?

Emily Stone (Editor) February 23, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Thanks for pointing that out, J. I added some info into the story explaining that better.

Christine Wolf February 23, 2012 at 01:32 pm

Whatever the reasons for NU owning the house/alley, and whatever the reason Mayor Tisdahl overlooked thanking NU, all I can say is, THANK YOU Trader Joe's for coming to Evanston. The excitement is huge and we welcome you with open arms.

fred February 23, 2012 at 02:00 pm

Great won't have to go so far to get "TWO BUCK CHUCK" ;-)

lucas March 20, 2012 at 10:17 pm

WHY IS CITY HIDING DETAILS OF DEAL TO GET TRADER JOES?
ASK YOUR ALDERPERSON

fred March 20, 2012 at 10:33 pm

SAw council meeting think Monday. Deal is to costly to Evanston