Developers Seek Extension For Controversial Fountain Square Tower

The developers of a 35-story tower in Fountain Square downtown are asking aldermen for a three-year extension of the planned development at 708 Church St. 

Members of the city council are expected to vote on the request at Monday night’s council meeting, according to city documents. 

Council members first approved a special use permit for the site in March 2009. The approved plans call for a mixed-use development with 218 dwelling units, 271 parking spaces in the building and 18,258 square feet of retail and office space. Developers obtained several site development allowances to permit the building to exceed maximum regulations downtown, including an approved height of 385 feet. 

Before the project was approved in 2009, members of the downtown residents association protested the tower, which would be the city’s tallest structure if approved, according to the Chicago Tribune.

As originally proposed, the tower would have been 49 stories and 523 feet tall, the Tribune reports.

Also on the docket for Monday night’s meeting: 

1. Extension of the Howard Hartrey TIF District

Council members are expected to discuss an ordinance that would extend the Howard Hartrey TIF district to include property at 222 Hartrey Ave., behind the target on Howard Street. That’s the site of Autobarn Evanston’s proposed expansion and relocation of its service centers. Owner Richard Fisher has said that Autobarn would not purchase the property unless the city approves an extension of a sales tax sharing agreement that expired in 2013 and extends the Howard Hartrey tax-increment financing district to include 222 Hartrey Ave. 

2. Discussion of Next Steps for Harley Clarke Mansion

City manager Wally Bobkiewicz is expected to present a report on the next steps for the city-owned Harley Clarke Mansion, which officials considered selling earlier this year. Longtime tenant the Evanston Art Center has said it would like to stay in the building, but the costs of upkeep are an issue for the organization and for the city. Bobkiewicz recently received a letter of interest from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is considering the building as a possible administrative headquarters and coastal education center.