Jackson & Emerson Affordable Housing

Please check back periodically for updates on the upcoming community engagement process to determine the future of the northeast corner of Jackson & Emerson. 

If you have questions or concerns about the property, please contact Paul Zalmezak, Economic Development Manager at 224.725.3613 - text or phone call anytime 

The City Council will consider staff's recommendation to approve a contract with SB Friedman Development Advisers.  A staff panel selected their response to (RFP 24-67).   SB Friedman is leading a team that includes Evanston-based All Together A Placemaking Design Studio for community engagement and Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM) architects for design.  

The City of Evanston has issued RFP 24-67 seeking assist the City of Evanston engage the community in a unique and meaningful way to understand key concepts related to affordable housing, develop a shared vision for the city-owned Jackson/Emerson property, and create a housing design proposal that will guide the selection of a developer.

RFP 24-67 Community Engagement and Visioning for City-Owned Property 

The anticipated consultant selection schedule is as follows:

Demolition Complete! - Fall 2023

Thank you Evanston resident and local business owner John Gipson of Wreckcon for completing this demolition project. Not an easy job considering the age of the buildings and the close adjacency to occupied residential housing.  

Thank you neighbors for your patience while we got through this project.  It wasn't easy, but we did it together. Looking forward to working together on the next phase of improving Evanston!

Demolition Scheduled June 20, 2023 - July 15, 2023 

Wreckcon will begin demolishing the houses on June 20th and plans to be finished July 15th. Wreckcon will comply with the demolition ordinance by controlling dust/debris, maintaining the fence, cleaning water and mud, securing/hauling waste materials, and to keep the site as clean as possible. John Gipson is the site contact and can be reached at 773.315.0719.

Demolition Kicks off - Sewer Disconnects / Jackson Avenue - May 17, 2023

Please click here for  May 10th Demolition Update and the Detailed Calendar

Wreckcon will have pavement cutting machinery on Jackson Avenue on May 17.  Expect saw noise during the 7am to 3pm working hours.  The process to cut, excavate, disconnect sewer, and restore Jackson Avenue will take up to 7 days.  We appreciate your patience.  Excavations will be covered with steel plates allowing community members to drive on Jackson after working hours.  The gated VW lot at 1601 Foster is available for parking. Gate will be opened at Foster (not accessible from Emerson)  .

Graffiti House Demolition Celebration Coming Soon!   

Parkway / Right of Way Water Disconnect - April 25, 2023

Wreckcon will be on site April 25, 2023 to disconnect water service  at the vacant residential properties on Jackson Avenue. Expect to see an excavator and other equipment.   Intermittent street closures are possible.   

Equipment Delivery - April 24, 2023

Wreckcon delivered equipment to the west end of the site at the alley and Jackson.   Contractors used a blower to clear the alley, nails, and other debris from the alley and the sidewalk back onto the site.   Contractors will never use  blowers to clear construction debris.  

Community Meeting - March 1, 2023

Councilmember Burns hosted a virtual community meeting on March 1, 2023.  The agenda included a summary of City of Evanston demolition requirements and a question and answer session with Wreckcon and Rebuilding Exchange about the demolition and deconstruction process for the properties

Demolition

At the February 13, 2023 meeting, the City Council approved a contract with Evanston-based Wreckcon Specs, LLC to demolish the  residential structures on the property.   Evanston Rebuilding Exchange will be deconstructing the coach house / "barn" at the rear of 1419 Emerson.  Councilmember Burns will be scheduling a demolition project plan community meeting in early March. 

Demolition RFP & Addendum

• Addendum 1
• Addendum 2
• Addendum 3

Council Action

On June 27, 2022  the City Council adopted Resolution 47-R-22 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the purchase of real property located at 1917-25 Jackson Avenue and 1413-25 Emerson Street in the amount of the appraise value totaling $1,675,000.  

Background

Recognizing the potential for delivering on the City's goal to provide more affordable housing, Councilmember Burns worked with staff to pursue the purchase of seven parcels located at the northeast corner of Jackson and Emerson. The properties have fallen into disrepair and the property owner listed them for sale after a private development proposed for the site failed to garner public support. The owner secured the properties and held off the demolition and sale while staff processed the request for City Council approval to negotiate and execute a contract to purchase the property.  

Process

Following city property acquisition procedures, staff requested an appraisal (see below) and reported to the City Council in executive session.   City Council directed staff to prepare a recommendation to acquire the property for its consideration in open session at a future Council meeting.  

Next Steps

Following the purchase of the property in approximately 90 days, Councilmember Burns, with the help of city staff, will lead a public process to get input from the community on a redevelopment plan that will deliver a high-quality and well-designed project that achieves the City's affordable housing and Climate Action Resilience Plan goals.  

Appraisal

The Appraisal Report of 1917-1925 Jackson and 1413-1425 Emerson, Evanston property, dated June 1, 2022,  provides the market valuation used to seek City Council authority to negotiate a contract to purchase the properties.  Second City Appraisal LLC completed the appraisal based on the current zoning, and if the area were to be downzoned. Click on the link above or the cover page of the appraisal to review it in its entirety.  

Phase I Environmental Study

The Phase I Environmental Study dated property, dated August 26, 2022  revealed no evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the property. No further investigation is recommended at this time.   Gabriel Environmental Services performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment in conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM Practice E1527 of 1917-25 Jackson Avenue & 1413-25  Emerson Street, the property.

Emerson & Jackson Addresses and Parcel Numbers 

• 1917 Jackson PIN # 10-13-211-011-0000
• 1921 Jackson PIN # 10-13-211-010-0000
• 1925 Jackson PIN # 10-13-211-009-0000
• 1425 Emerson PIN # 10-13-211-023-0000
• 1421 Emerson PIN # 10-13-211-024-0000
• 1419 Emerson PIN # 10-13-211-025-0000
• 1413 Emerson PIN # 10-13-211-026-0000

Emerson & Jackson Parcel Map