Council Approves $25M Chicago-Main TIF District

Evanston aldermen approved a new tax-increment financing district that runs along Chicago Avenue from Dempster to Oakton streets by a 7-2 vote Monday night.

City council members voted 7-2 Monday to approve creation of a $25 million tax-increment financing (TIF) district centered at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Main Street.  Ald. Don Wilson (4th ward) and Ald. Coleen Burrus (9th ward) cast the dissenting votes against the TIF district, which runs along Chicago Avenue between Dempster and Oakton streets and stretches out across Main Street between Sherman and Hinman avenues.  Presenting the enabling ordinances to council members, city manager Wally Bobkiewicz described the Chicago-Main TIF as an investment in the city’s future that would leverage existing assets. Those include a $1 million state grant to fund development of ultra high-speed internet service along the Chicago Avenue …

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Millie

12:19 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013

I agree John. The HUGH apartment building going out is really out of place for where its located. Leets have some Construction on CENTRAL   more ›

Empty In Evanston

What Should Move In at Chicago and Main?

In our “Empty in Evanston” series, Patch looks at vacant properties around town. Today, we focus on the southeast corner of Chicago and Main, where city officials are proposing a new TIF district.

City officials recently held the first public hearing for a proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) district at Chicago Avenue and Main Street. The district was created in part to spur development on the vacant plot of land at the southeast corner of the intersection, where a developer plans to construct a mixed-use office and residential building. As proposed, the TIF district incorporates a stretch of Chicago Avenue from Dempster to Oakton street, as well as parts of Main Street east and west of the intersection with Chicago.  Just south of the district is the new, 214-unit luxury apartment complex going up at 737 Chicago Ave.  According to city documents, officials have proposed a budget of $25 million over 23 years for the TIF district…

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Empty In Evanston

What Should Move in at Church and Darrow?

Evanston aldermen recently approved a motion that allows the city to purchase or acquire through condemnation an 11,000-square-foot property at Church and Darrow, the former site of a gas station.

The city is currently looking into the purchase of 1801-05 Church St., the former site of a gas station at Church Street and Darrow Avenue. So we're wondering, what would you like to see move into the empty space? Share your opinion in the comments section below. Aldermen recently voted to give the city manager authority to negotiate for acquisition of the 11,000-square-foot property, whether as a purchase or through condemnation and eminent domain. Funds for the acquisition would come from the West Evanston tax-increment financing district, according to economic development coordinator Paul Zalmezak.  Earlier: City May Acquire Former Gas Station Site at Church and Darrow The city plans to combine the property with another site it already …

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City May Acquire Former Gas Station Site at Church and Darrow

Evanston aldermen approved a motion authorizing the city manager to negotiate with the owner of 1801-05 Church Street, an 11,000 square foot vacant lot at the northwest corner of the intersection.

The city of Evanston may soon become the owner of an 11,000-square-foot lot at the intersection of Church Street and Darrow Avenue, the site of a former gas station.  At Monday’s city council meeting, aldermen voted 7-1 in favor of a motion that gives the city manager authority to negotiate for acquisition of the property, whether as a purchase or through condemnation and eminent domain. Funds for the acquisition would come from the West Evanston tax-increment financing district, according to economic development coordinator Paul Zalmezak.  Ninth ward alderman Coleen Burrus, who cast the no vote, said she opposed the matter because the site is in need of environmental remediation. Four underground storage tanks remain on the property, …

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LaVerne

7:32 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thats a good question. Why did City pay for appraisal in February. Wy not purchases for past due taxes?   more ›

City Council to Consider Two New TIF Districts

Evanston aldermen are expected to discuss proposed tax increment-financing (TIF) districts at Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue and at Chicago Avenue and Main Street during Monday night's city council meeting.

A proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) district at Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue and another proposed TIF district at Chicago Avenue and Main street could soon bring the total number of TIF districts in the city to seven. On Monday night, aldermen are expected to open the public hearing for the proposed TIF district at Chicago and Main and vote on the creation of the other proposed district, which encompasses the Evanston Plaza shopping center at the southwest corner of Dempster and Dodge.  The city council came close to voting on the Dempster/Dodge TIF two weeks ago, when aldermen considered a motion to suspend council rules in order to introduce and vote on the TIF plan at the same meeting. According to the proposal from Kane, …

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Dempster/Dodge TIF District Could Come To Vote Soon

The city held a public hearing on a proposed TIF district at Dempster and Dodge before Monday night’s council meeting. Aldermen will likely vote on the matter on Monday, May 29.

A proposed TIF district for the southwest corner of Dempster and Dodge garnered vocal support from some aldermen and concerns from others during a public hearing Monday. “I see this as just a really important thing for us to do,” said first ward alderman Judy Fiske. “I think this will have an incredible effect on the four corners.”  Ninth ward alderman Coleen Burrus was skeptical, however. Earlier: 'Ideal Vision' for Evanston Plaza Discussed at Leadership Evanston Meeting “I am pro-TIF over all, I’m for redevelopment of areas that haven’t been developed, I’m just not sure how this works here,” she said. Under the proposal created by the city’s economic development department and consultant Kane, McKenna and Associates, the Evanston Plaza …

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