Civic Center Relocation

Feedback Print

909 Davis St.

This webpage is designed to be your go-to source for all updates regarding the relocation of Civic Center operations. As we embark on the exciting journey of moving from 2100 Ridge Avenue to our new home at 909 Davis Street, we want to ensure that you, our valued community members, and City staff are well-informed.

Relocating Civic Center operations is a significant endeavor, and we want you to be a part of the excitement! Your support and involvement make a difference. Below, you will find:

Information on the latest developments and important dates
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and a way to anonymously submit questions. This page will be regularly updated to address any questions, concerns, or general inquiries about the relocation process.

Relocation Update

Updated May 30, 2024

The boxes you see in the hallways is not a signal that a move is imminent, unfortunately. Instead, these will be used for an upcoming record tracking / document retention process led by the City Clerk's Office. More information will be forthcoming.

February 2024- City Manager Stowe executed the lease at 909 Davis on February 26, 2024.
June 2024 - furniture, fixtures, equipment order, space construction to begin
Fall 2024- phased relocation to 909 Davis / Evanston City Hall Fully Operating

How did we get here?

On January 22, 2024. the Evanston City Council approved the City to enter into a lease agreement for Civic
Center office space at 909 Davis Street.

The current Police & Fire Headquarters facility, built in 1949, needs to be revised to meet our current needs and demands. In June 2023, we conducted tours for council members of the Police/Fire HQ to demonstrate the various problems and challenges. These tours successfully garnered support for staff to take the next steps to address the long-term vision for a new Police/Fire facility. As part of this process, it was critical that we also contemplate the future of the current Civic Center building, with its significant deferred capital investment and workplace design that no longer meets our needs. There are some key potential outcomes we need to consider as a City and community:

Consolidate Civic Center operations and Police & Fire operations in a new building.
Complete rehabilitation of the existing Civic Center building
Construct a new standalone Civic Center building
Construct a new standalone Police & Fire headquarters or
Rent office space long-term for Civic Center operations

While we plan for these potential outcomes, staff recommended to the City Council that we no longer remain at the Civic Center as is. For years, we have heard from staff that workplace security was a high priority. The building, while beautiful from a distance, requires millions of dollars of investment, including ventilation, HVAC, building envelope repairs, and fire safety. Perhaps most importantly, the building needs to adequately serve all of our community members as it fails numerous ADA standards, which is unacceptable for our community.

Leasing 909 Davis St. allows us to move the new Police & Fire Headquarters project forward while stabilizing Civic Center operations - removing uncertainties about costs and operational interruptions. As we move forward with the planning and design of the Police/Fire HQ, community engagement sessions are being held to help us determine the long-term plans for the Civic Center.

Highlighted Features of 909 Davis St.

	Enhanced Safety - Including the use of employee badges, restriction of elevator access to employees with badges (limited to the 3rd floor), the presence of a security guard in the main lobby during business hours, and full compliance with ADA and current fire code standards.
	Access to contemporary spaces - The office space features a balcony overlooking Church Street. We are working with the building owners on the design of a 6th-floor conference center with additional conference space, complimentary coffee service, and a cash/digital card snack bar. Additionally, employees will have the privilege of utilizing an outdoor roof deck equipped with tables, chairs, and a barbecue grill.
	Location near restaurants and downtown amenities - 909 Davis St. is located two blocks from Fountain Square and right in the heart of Evanston’s bustling downtown. Being located downtown will allow staff to enjoy a wider variety of local restaurants and shops, summer lunches at Fountain Square, and after-work gatherings. A new outdoor dining plaza is also being designed for the walkway between the train station and the office building.
	Improved customer service - Elevated customer service will be a focal point in the new design, featuring a street-level front service desk for enhanced accessibility and meeting spaces, including Council Chambers, on the second floor to foster improved engagement with the community.
	Collaborative workspaces - The staff spaces on the 3rd floor will incorporate a mix of modern workplace design, including shared and individual workspaces and collaboration spaces. There will also be conference rooms and private ‘phone booths’.
	Free Parking - Employees will be able to park for free at the Maple Street Parking Garage only. Free parking will also be made available for visitors. Those who prefer public transit will enjoy the building's convenient location next to bus transit, the CTA Purple Line, and the Metra Davis Street stations. The building is also adjacent to both the Church Street and Davis Street protected bike lanes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our list of FAQs and their answers below. These answers will be updated as new information becomes available. For questions not included on this list, please submit them online (employees only), and their answers will be added to the list.

Community FAQs

Where do I park for a city meeting?

Will community members attending public meetings have to pay for parking?

Where will Boards, Commissions, and Committees meet?

Where will the City Council meet?

Where can I pay for my parking ticket/permits/etc.

The new City Customer Service, which will include the Collector’s Office, will be located on the 1st floor of 909 Davis St. The Collector’s Office will be open to process in-person transactions Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Collector’s Office is responsible for coordinating the City's centralized billing procedures and collecting monies for permits, fines, fees, licenses, taxes, and other miscellaneous revenues.

Will the City Clerk be moving to the new building?

What will happen to the current Civic Center building?

The City Council launched an extensive community engagement process to discuss the plans for 2100 Ridge Ave. Preliminary options include:

Renovating the existing building
Identifying a new location for a city hall
Identifying a new location for a police/fire/city hall headquarters
Remaining in place at 909 Davis St. for the long term.

Evanston community members will help determine what a future Evanston city hall/civic center will look like and how it will operate in the ever-evolving digital and hybrid working environment.

What will happen to the temporary Senior DMV?

What will happen to the artwork at the Civic Center?

Why is the City renting? Isn’t it better to own?

Leasing an office space will allow the City to continue operating safely and productively while several critical decisions are made.

The existing civic center has serious deficiencies and is not optimal for serving our community. It does not meet modern security standards, is oversized for current staffing levels, and has significant HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues that, at any time, could fail and cause disruption to city services.
Concurrently, the City Council is facing several other expensive and time-intensive facilities decisions, including Police and Fire Headquarters and the Fleet Service Center.
By leasing 909 Davis, we are stabilizing our financial position by providing certainty that our City administrative operations will continue without the fear or expenses associated with maintaining the building at 2100 Ridge Avenue. Having a leased space will also provide the opportunity to provide extensive renovations to 2100 Ridge Ave. if it is decided to move the civic center operations back.
Modern building code requires the renovation of a building the size of 2100 Ridge Ave. to meet all ADA, Fire, and Safety standards, which essentially means a “gut rehab.” It would be nearly impossible and certainly unsafe, given the condition of the building, to provide services to the community or to work in the building during potential construction.
Property ownership comes with responsibilities, including budgeting for future maintenance. In times of fiscal hardship, it is not uncommon for city councils or other government bodies to defer those costs to provide immediate services (e.g., police, fire, public works). Renting can provide a way for the City to benefit from allowing a landlord to invest in the infrastructure and systems and spread that cost over multiple tenants. The City’s lease costs, if projected over 30 years, are approximately $60 million. The cost of building a new civic center building today, according to AECOM, is $63 million, with an additional $30 million in bond interest costs. At the end of those 30 years, a new civic center will likely have undergone several upgrades and maintenance. At the end of a 15-year or 30-year lease, you are left with an option to continue or relocate. Unlike homeownership, there is not a “profit” when the property is sold. While the City Council and community work to determine the best long-term solution for City operation, the lease at 909 Davis St. provides some breathing room and cost certainties not currently afforded by 2100 Ridge Ave.

It’s so easy to park at the current Civic Center, especially for senior citizens and those with disabilities. How will this be addressed at 909 Davis St.?

At 909 Davis, a City Customer Service Center is being created at the street level/ground floor for City transactions like permits, parking passes, parking tickets, birth certificates, and others. The building also features six (6) ADA spaces along the front entrance. The distance from these spaces to the new Customer Service Center is closer than the current arrangement at 2100 Ridge Ave. Visitors coming for longer meetings will have the option to park for free at either the Sherman Garage or the Maple Garage.

Where will early voting take place?

Employee FAQs

Where will employees park and do they have to pay?

What will the new office workspaces look like?

Staff worked closely with the design team to create a workspace plan and individual workstations worthy of our staff. The new city hall will have enhanced safety features such as employee-only access spaces via a keycard. It will also have a collaborative feel while providing spaces for private meetings and conversations. The building will also offer several amenities to staff and is centrally located for easy access to public transportation.

Will staffing levels be impacted by the move?

How often will employees have to come into the office?

Can employees have a permanent workspace?

Do we have access to the building on weekends?

What is security like at 909 Davis St.?

Which employees will get private offices?

How will I conduct private conversations or phone calls?

The space will be designed according to modern workplace standards, featuring collaboration zones, the aforementioned outdoor spaces, and modern/flexible individual workstations. Five 'telephone booth' offices are already built into the space for those needing to conduct Zoom call meetings while in the office or for those who may need to make private business calls. The space will also include various conference rooms to ensure privacy.

How will shared office spaces work? Is this the same as “hoteling” What does “hoteling” mean? Where will I store my personal belongings?

When do we have to be out of the Morton Civic Center and into the new building?

We like the unique nature of the current Morton Civic Center and its historic features. Why would we want to move into a modern office building?

Moving into a modern office building is initially necessary to facilitate a decision about renovating the building at 2100 Ridge Ave. or relocating permanently. The City Manager, with the direction of the City Council, agrees that operating at the current location with deferred maintenance needs is too risky. Moving out provides financial and operational certainty and serves as the impetus to begin the predicted long and challenging community engagement and funding process for a long-term solution.

How is the City paying for new furniture, office space, and the cost of moving?

Why would the City agree to a 15-year lease if this is a temporary move?

The negotiated 15-year lease provides the necessary flexibility the City needs to examine in full detail the variety of options we have available to renovate 2100 Ridge Ave. or build a new civic center (shared with Police/Fire or stand-alone) and to properly time it and cost it out. The City Council is in the process of considering multiple very costly facility repairs or construction, including Police headquarters, Fire headquarters, the Fleet Service Center, the Evanston Ecology Center, and the Noyes Cultural Art Center, in addition to the Civic Center. These are estimated to cost up to $300 million before the added cost of bond interest.

Staff also considered the possibility that we would need a shorter-term lease. This was not available in a building that met our space requirements (including a street-level service desk). If the City Council acts quickly and directs staff to renovate 2100 Ridge Ave. or to build a new facility, staff has negotiated an early termination option in the lease at the end of year seven. The City would have to pay a penalty of $8.8 million, essentially paying back some of the free rent and tenant improvement credit that the City is getting upfront.

The Council may decide to prioritize the construction/renovation plan over a longer period to lessen the impact on taxpayers. Outside of the need for meeting space for us to conduct city business, the remainder of the space is for offices. However, Fleet, Police, and Fire have very specific specialized needs requiring a purpose-built facility.

Why can't we consolidate our City services on one floor or a wing of the building while construction occurs on the other floors/wings?

The 2100 Ridge Avenue building is facing significant challenges when considering rehabilitation. In addition to failing HVAC systems and an electrical system that is aged and under capacity for a modern office building, it needs to be brought into compliance with modern building codes and ADA requirements. Walls will need to be moved, demolished, and/or added to provide more efficient office spaces as well as security and safety. Such a renovation would truly be a gut rehabilitation project, and with multiple relocations, noise, and dust, it would be very difficult for staff to work efficiently during reconstruction.

Why can’t we work from home while the Civic Center is renovated if that is the chosen option?

Estimated Timeline for our Future Civic Center

Based on City procurement timelines and other construction projects, staff has developed the following estimated timeline for the future location of Evanston’s City Hall/Civic Center:

Phase	Estimated Time
Public Engagement (City Hall Future including design and location)	6 - 9 months
City Council Debate/Decision	2 - 4 months
Subtotal to City Hall Decision	8 - 13 months
Draft Request for Qualifications	1 - 2 months
Issue RFQ/ Evaluate Qualifications Statements	4 - 5 months
Negotiate Fee/Recommend Award	2 - 3 months
Subtotal to Award of Consulting Services	7 - 10 months
Concept Planning (including civic center programming/ concept plan) (with public engagement / without public engagements)	4 - 8 months
Schematic Design (with public engagement / without public engagement)	3 - 8 months
Detailed Design and Prep of Contract Documents	6 - 12 months
Subtotal to Complete Planning and Design	13 - 28 months
Procure Contractor through Low Bid - 3 months Procure Contractor through Qualifications Based Selection - 6 months	3 - 6 months
Finalize Contracts, Insurance, Purchase Orders, Etc.	1 - 2 months
Subtotal to Procure Construction Services	4 - 8 months
Construction of Renovation (Building Not Occupied)	24 - 30 months
TOTAL SCHEDULE	66 - 89 months 5.5 - 7.5 years

Video Gallery

Curious about what the building looks like? Check out some video footage and a photo gallery provided by the Lincoln Property Company on www.evanstonstation.com.

Photo Gallery

Updated on 02/20/2024 1:56 PM