Evanston City Council held a special meeting on Feb. 22 to reconsider a 15-year lease to temporarily move city operations downtown while the city debates plans for a long-term home.
Councilmembers Clare Kelly, Bobby Burns, Thomas Suffredin and Devon Reid requested the meeting to discuss repealing the 15-year lease and consider a short-term option ranging from three to 10 years. City Council voted against repealing the 15-year lease, meaning it will move downtown to 909 Davis St. with a 15-year commitment.
The move comes with accessibility and building condition concerns about the city’s current hub, the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center. These woes leave some, such as Mayor Daniel Biss, saying a prompt move is necessary. The approved resolution calls for city operations to move to the Davis Street location in July. Biss says the lease should be 15 years to allow for proper public input when deciding where city operation will be permanently held.
“There needs to be public discourse about where the long-term home of our city government should be,” Biss said.
Despite these concerns, three City Council members – Kelly, Suffredin and Reid – voted in favor of repealing the 15-year lease citing potential financial ramifications. They say moving will cost millions of dollars that could otherwise be spent renovating the Civic Center into something more suitable.
Some residents have been supportive of moving downtown, citing its more central location and proximity to public transit. This represents a shift from 2007 when residents voted in favor of staying in the Civic Center during a referendum.
Other residents agree with the three City Council members opposing the 15-year lease and say it’s a reckless decision. One resident pointed to the Finance and Budget Committee’s lackluster participation in the process and expressed desire for its involvement. The Finance and Budget Committee’s sole conversation regarding the Civic Center was on Feb. 13, according to the recent committee agendas.
“This really reeks of financial recklessness and it’s a problem we would like answers to,” resident Trisha Connolly said. “It’s still unclear to me who is motivated and why to leave (the Civic Center). Yes, we all understand the building needs work … but make a plan.”
Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
