View the proposed planned development application.

1714-1720 Chicago Avenue Development Proposal

1st Ward Community Meeting December 6, 2016

On Tuesday December 6, 2016 Alderman Judy Fiske hosted a 1st Ward meeting at the Evanston Public Library.  Representatives of Conor Commercial were invited to provide an update on their proposal for the 1714-20 Chicago Avenue property.  Attendees from the 1st Ward and other areas of Evanston provided feedback and had the opportunity to ask questions of the developer and City Staff.  Alderman Fiske recommended staff return with the developer on January 15th for an additional meeting.  In the meantime, Alderman Fiske encouraged the community to submit their own design proposals for the site by either downloading and drawing on the images below or by submitting images of buildings that have characteristics suitable for the 1714-20 Chicago Avenue site.

Zip folder of photos (files are .jpgs)

Please submit drawings or building images to Paul Zalmezak, Senior Economic Development Coordinator at pzalmezak@cityofevanston.org.

Economic Development Committee Meeting November 16, 2016

On Wednesday November 16, 2016, the Economic Development Committee of the Evanston City Council approved a process that directs staff to work exclusively with Conor Commercial to gather community input prior to filing for the planned development approval process. The first opportunity to for community input is scheduled for December 6, 2016 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL at 7 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the 1st Ward Meeting hosted by Alderman Judy Fiske.

Staff Memo to Economic Development Committee November 16, 2016
 

1714-20 Chicago Avenue Proposals

Conor Commercial
Sterling Bay
Torburn Partners

1714-1720 Chicago Avenue Bid Requirements

The City of Evanston is seeking the development of an office building at 1714-1720 Chicago Avenue. The City of Evanston is seeking $5 million for the 27,000+/- square foot property. The site is currently used as a metered municipal parking lot serving 74 cars. The site is bound by Chicago Avenue to the east, the Woman’s Club of Evanston to the south, a public alley and Evanston Public Library, to the west and the Frances Willard House Museum & Archives to the north. The redevelopment of the site will require a zoning change and because of its size, will be subject to the City of Evanston’s planned development zoning process.

A successful bid must include: 1) For-profit office building use and ownership; 2) contextual development and high quality design; and 3) the replacement of a minimum of 74 public parking spaces on site.

Bids must be received no later than 5 p.m. on 9/30/2016. The complete bid document is located below. 

1714 1720 Chicago Avenue Bid Document Final

Questions

1. Would the City of Evanston consider a mixed use development incorporating office and residential?

Answer: The Evanston City Council provided authority to seek proposals for office buildings. Proposals that adhere closest to the bid request will be viewed favorably.


2. What is parking requirement for an office building?

Answer: In summary, one parking space per 500 square feet of office. The first 3,000 square feet of office space is exempt. 80% of this requirement must be met. For illustrative purposes, see the following example:

Hypothetical 150,000 sq ft office building
150,000 sq ft – 3,000 sq ft(exempt) = 147,000 sq ft / 500 sq ft = 294 parking spaces x .80 = 235 parking spaces required

The amount of required parking may be reduced as a Site Development Allowance if approved by City Council in the Planned Development process. Any medical office has a requirement of 1 space per 200 sq ft of medical office space instead of the 1 per 500 noted above.

Please note, this is in addition to replacing the 74 public parking spaces for public use.


3. Is the site served by utilities?

Answer: There is electric serving the parking lot operating the lot lights. Traffic signal services enter from Church Street into the alley to obtain electric service. Two drainage structures exist in the parking lot that are connected to a sewer. There is no evidence of water service connected to the site at this time.


4. The property is composed of two parcels, one is zoned R6, the other R6/D3. What zoning district should the proposal reflect?

Answer: As outlined in the bid document, a zoning change is required to accommodate an office development on the site. Proposals will be subject to the Planned Development process.