City of Evanston
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September 2024 - Request for Proposals (RFP)
The City has released the most recent Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of Harley Clarke and its grounds.
Spring 2024 - Request for Proposals (RFP)
The City has released a Request for Proposals for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of Harley Clarke and its grounds. This follows an earlier Request for Expression of Interest (REI). The responses to the REI affirmed that the property remains highly valuable and represents a significant opportunity for renewed life and vibrancy.
The City believes this new opportunity will produce a vibrant, financially sound, and financially sustainable vision for the property that spurs cultural benefit and place-based economic development potential for all of Evanston.
Additional RFP Information
Links to additional information including maps, floor plans, photos, historical documentation, conditions assessments and cost estimates, and additional pertinent reports and studies are available on the projects website. Please contact Cade W. Sterling, Preservation Planner at 847-448-8231 or csterling@cityofevanston.org with any questions.
Timeline of City Ownership and Initiatives
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 1965 | City of Evanston purchases property from Sigma Chi Fraternity |
| 1965-2015 | City leases property to Evanston Arts Center |
| July 2011 | City Council directed City Staff to identify other possible uses |
| May 2012 | Staff distributed a Request for Interest |
| July 2013 | Council rejects the one RFP received to turn property into hotel |
| End of 2013 through 2015 | Illinois Department of Natural Resources tried to negotiate about purchase of property |
| January 2015 | Citizens Committee was formed to study uses for the mansion |
| June 2015 | Committee presented report to City Council |
| October 2015 | City Council requested to discontinue proposal discussions |
| September 2016 | City Council approves proposal for City to keep property and allocate $250,000 for improvements |
| November 2016 | Harley Clarke Planning Committee was formed to discuss next steps |
| June 2017 | Request from committee to lease to Evanston Lakehouse and Gardens (denied); request was amended to send out a Request for Proposal for other not-for-profit organizations that may be interested in leasing |
| August 2017 | RFPs Issued Seeking Qualified Non-Profit Entity to Lease the Harley Clarke Mansion |
| November 2017 | Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens response to the RFP was approved by Council |
| March 2018 | Ordinance 42-O-18 authorizing Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens lease was approved for Introduction by Council |
| April 2018 | Ordinance 42-O-18 failed 7-2 for Action |
| June 2018 | Resolution 43-R-18 approved 6-3 for Action |
| July 2018 | Resolution 51-R-18 approved 5-3 for Action |
| August 2018 | Memorandum of Understanding with Evanston Lighthouse Dunes |
| October 2018 | Preservation Commission votes 9-0 to deny Certificate of Appropriateness |
| November 2018 | Evanston voters support advisory referendum to protect from demolition and preserve the Harley Clarke buildings and gardens. |
| November 2018 | Preservation Commission Findings. Attachments can be found in the October 23 Preservation Commission meeting agenda. |
| November 2018 | Notice of Appeal from Evanston Preservation Commission's Decision |
| December 2018 | Request to hear the appeal was denied 9-0 |
| March 2019 | Discussion on next steps for the Mansion. Request was made to return April 15, 2019 with a new RFP. |
| April 2019 | Harley Clarke Mansion RFP. Motion was made to remove the option to sell, add additional dates as needed for tours, and expand on community component. Passed 5-3. |
| December 2019 | Long-Term Lease Agreement with the Artist Book House |
| January 2023 | Artist Book House withdraws from lease agreement |
| September 2023 | Updated Request for Expressions of Interest Issued. The City received ten responses, affirming the property remains highly valuable and represents a significant opportunity for renewed life and vibrancy. |
Additional Documents and Reports
History of the Harley Clarke Mansion
Located adjacent to the Grosse Pointe Lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach in the northeast corner of Evanston, the Harley Clarke Mansion is a historic English Tudor mansion. The City of Evanston purchased the property from the Sigma Chi National Fraternity in 1965 as part of the development of the Lighthouse Landing Park. The mansion was originally a private residence, but had served as the fraternity’s national headquarters from 1951-1965. The City of Evanston leased the building to the Evanston Arts Center from the late 1960s until 2015, when the property began to require more maintenance than either the City or the Art Center was able to fund. The Evanston Arts Center moved to a new location on Central Street and the property was closed. In 2013, the City rejected one Request for Proposal to turn the property into a hotel. The City then reviewed responses to a Request for Proposal to lease the property to a not-for-profit organization. After the proposal from Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens was denied by City Council in 2017, the Evanston Lighthouse Dunes group submitted a request to donate funds to demolish the Harley Clarke Mansion and Coach House and restore the dunes. The Preservation Commission denied this proposal.
Request for Proposal with Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens
The City of Evanston requested proposals to enter into a long-term lease with a non-profit organization that will invest in and renovate the Harley Clarke Mansion to create a high quality public use for the space consistent with the 2008 Lakefront Master Plan. The City received one response from Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens. City Council approved the response on November 13, 2017. City Council directed City Staff to move forward with lease negotiations. The proposed lease (Ordinance 42-O-18) was approved for Introduction at the March 12, 2018 City Council, but failed 7-2 for Action on April 9, 2018.
- Request for Proposal - RFP, Addendum 1, Addendum 2
- Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens Response - ELHG Response
- Ordinance 42-O-18, Lease of City-Owned property located at 2603 Sheridan Road to ELHG
Past Responses to Requests for Proposals
Evanston Community Lakehouse & Gardens Proposal