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Capital Improvement Project Roundup
Post Date: 01/08/2026 1:07 PM
Each year, the City undertakes millions of dollars in infrastructure projects through its Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Many of these projects require years of planning and preparation, but some smaller projects can be completed in a matter of months.
In 2026, the City will continue to implement a robust capital improvement program. Check out some of our completed CIP projects in 2025, as well as a roundup of projects to watch out for in 2026!
Substantially Completed 2025 Capital Improvement Projects
Green Bay Road
Green Bay Road is a key north-south route in Evanston, used by many pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. In 2025, work began to improve the street from McCormick Boulevard to Isabella Street. The project included updates like making sidewalks and intersections more accessible, replacing water mains, upgrading sewers, modernizing traffic signals, improving streetlights and transit stops, and enhancing the Central Street Business District. The City received over $5.4 million in federal funding to help cover the costs of the work. The project is managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, and streetlight and traffic signal work will continue through spring 2026.
Evanston Ecology Center
The Evanston Ecology Center underwent a significant upgrade that began in 2024 and was completed in the fall of 2025. This beloved environmental education facility was originally built in 1974. The renovation, timed with the center’s 50th anniversary, modernized the building to support community and educational programming for the next 50 years. Upgrades included a new reception area, updated classroom, office, and restroom spaces, as well as structural repairs and new all-electric mechanical systems designed to achieve zero on-site carbon emissions and attain LEED Silver (or higher) certification. The project completion was celebrated with a grand reopening in October.
James Park Pickleball Court Conversion
The City transformed James Park’s existing six tennis courts into fifteen dedicated pickleball courts to meet growing community demand. The project was part of a broader parks court improvement project that also included renovations to tennis courts at Leahy, Ackerman, and Mason Parks. Construction began in late July and was finished by October 2025. The new courts have been warmly welcomed by the community as an addition to the City’s recreational amenities.
Photo credit: Wallis Rogin/The Daily Northwestern.
Independence Park Renovations
The City completed a renovation of Independence Park, which had not received a major upgrade since 1994. The renovation added a larger, modern playground, improved pathways and lighting, refreshed landscaping, and new benches and site features to make the park safer, more accessible, and welcoming. A new seating plaza and small stage were also built for community gatherings. Sidewalk and streetscape upgrades also make it easier to access the park from nearby businesses on Central Street. Construction began in mid-2024 and was completed in 2025, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Bent Park Field House
Bent Park Field House, which had been closed since 2022 after sustaining significant fire damage, underwent major renovations in 2025. The project rebuilt and modernized the facility, addressing structural damage and upgrading building systems. Improvements included a new roof, rebuilt exterior walls, updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, enhanced ADA accessibility, and conversion to a fully all-electric facility with no on-site carbon emissions. The restored field house now provides a flexible indoor space for year-round recreation and park programs.
Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project
The City completed its Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project as part of its broader alley and sidewalk enhancements. The work focused on key downtown streets, including the east side of Benson Avenue (Davis to Clark Streets) and the north and south sides of Clark Street (from Benson to Sherman Avenues). The work included removing old brick sidewalks, curbs, and driveways, and replacing them with new concrete sidewalks featuring decorative brick banding, updated concrete driveways, new trees and tree grates, and site restoration. These upgrades improved pedestrian safety, accessibility, and the overall downtown streetscape. Construction began in the summer and progressed through 2025.
Evanston Safe Route to School Sidewalk Improvement Project
The federally funded Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Improvement Project has been completed, making walking routes to schools safer and more accessible for children and families. The project replaced damaged sidewalk sections and rebuilt some curb ramps to improve accessibility near many Evanston elementary and middle schools. Construction began at the end of June and was substantially completed by mid‑August 2025.
Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program Completion
The City completed its Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program, an early phase of its broader lead service line removal efforts. The pilot focused on replacing private-side lead service lines in low- to moderate-income areas where the public portion had already been replaced, thereby reducing residents’ exposure to lead in their drinking water. The City has replaced 100 targeted service lines under the pilot, eliminating lead piping from home water systems at no cost to eligible homeowners. This serves as a model for equity-focused implementation ahead of the City’s longer-term, citywide lead service line replacement plan, which is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Oakton Corridor
The Oakton Street Improvement Project was finished in 2025, significantly improving safety, accessibility, and multimodal travel along the Oakton Street corridor. The project included construction of a new sidewalk on the north side of Oakton Street between Dodge and Hartrey Avenues, along with a shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path extending from Dodge Avenue west to the City limits. Additional work included safer crosswalks, improved traffic signals, intersection safety upgrades, and new energy-efficient LED street lighting, keeping ADA accessibility at the forefront. The project also enhanced crosswalks at Oakton and Barton Avenues and added bike route markings and signage along Mulford Avenue between Asbury and Dodge Avenues.
2026 Capital Improvement Projects to Know About
Robert Crown Solar Installation
The City is installing a new rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Robert Crown Community Center to expand the use of clean, renewable energy. Construction began in the fall of 2025 and is expected to continue into early 2026. The system will generate on-site power to help operate the facility, reduce long-term energy costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the City’s sustainability and climate-action goals.
Traffic Signal Improvements Project (Locations along Ridge & Central)
In alignment with its safety and accessibility goals, the City is working to improve traffic signals at several intersections along Ridge Avenue and Central Street. This project includes installing and upgrading traffic lights, pedestrian signal heads with countdown displays, accessible pedestrian signals with audible push buttons, and other ADA-related improvements. Once complete, these improvements will provide safer, more reliable, and more accessible intersections for people walking, biking, driving, and using transit.
Fountain Square South Plaza Improvements
Construction on the Fountain Square South Plaza is scheduled for 2026 and is expected to be completed before July. The project will transform the plaza into a more vibrant, accessible, and welcoming public space at the heart of the downtown area. The project will revitalize this downtown space with improved LED lighting, new permeable pavers, enhanced landscaping, and updated furnishings, making it more welcoming, accessible, and user-friendly year-round. Designed to better support everyday activity and community events, the improvements are part of the City’s Evanston Thrives initiative to create a more vibrant and resilient downtown.
Divvy Bike Expansion
The City is expanding its Divvy Bike Share program to enhance its sustainable and equitable transportation options. The project includes installing 10 additional stations to expand the network to 24 locations, as well as the potential to add 50 electric scooters and 75 spare batteries to the Divvy fleet. Concrete pads will be installed at some of the new stations as needed, and up to four public demonstration events will be held to promote safe riding practices. This expansion includes promotion of the Divvy for Everyone equity program and supports the City’s sustainability goals.
Twiggs Park Playground Renovations
The City is continuing work to renovate the playgrounds at Twiggs Park, a 13.2-acre park located south of the North Shore Channel between Bridge Street and Green Bay Road. The Twiggs Park Playground Improvement Project was initiated in 2025 and includes the reconstruction of the park’s age 2–5 and age 5–12 playgrounds within their existing footprints. The project includes new play equipment, upgraded play surfacing and drainage systems, improved adjacent pavements, updated site furniture, and drinking fountains to meet ADA requirements and current playground safety standards. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
