Better integration of the arts into urban development and utilization of vacant space were among the numerous suggestions submitted during a feedback session on Envision Evanston 2045 on Tuesday at the Arts Council’s Summer Social at the Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St.
Several dozen people attended the meeting and exchanged ideas, stimulated by questions from city staff and consultants.
The city plans to host another eight focus groups on Thursday and Friday to gather feedback on how various issues should be included in the revision of the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning code. This new phase of engagement comes as the initiative refines concrete policy proposals before releasing initial drafts in September for further feedback and development.
The employees presented a summary of the initiative the first five months of public engagement the City Council on 24 June, together with a Preliminary report to the city’s existing conditions and contexts. This summary reports that around 2,500 people responded to the initiative’s online survey and 379 attended in-person events such as Meetings-in-a-Box and monthly community meetings.
Inclusion of art and culture
At Tuesday’s Summer Social, participants, after discussions in small groups, suggested, among other things, integrating art into public spaces, reducing the segmentation of the art scene, and making use of vacant or underused spaces.
Neighborhood and land use planner Meagan Jones oversaw the feedback session with a focus on arts and culture, led by consultants Molly Zupan and Berenice Alvarez of Morreale Communications.
“We believe the arts must be an essential part of this discussion and that is why you are all here,” said Arts Council Chair Melissa Molitor. “Thank you for representing us and making sure your voices and the voices of artists and arts organizations are heard in this process.”
Each small group received a worksheet with 10 questions to encourage discussion about how art should be considered in urban development. Questions included items such as “What role should art play in Evanston’s future development?” and “What are the most pressing challenges facing the arts community in Evanston today?”
The groups had about 45 minutes for discussion. At the end, each small group shared three key insights.
Attendees also spent the first 20 minutes of the Summer Social browsing and chatting with three billboards while enjoying food and drinks.
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Participants of the Evanston Arts Council Summer Social provide feedback on Envision Evanston’s vision statement. Credit: Margo Milanowski -
Post-it notes at the Arts Council Social provide feedback on Envision Evanston’s goals. Credit: Margo Milanowski -
Green dots show where participants of the Arts Council Summer Social and Envision Evanston feedback session live and work. Credit: Margo Milanowski
Participants were able to use the boards to write where they live in Evanston and indicate whether they agree or disagree with Envision Evanston’s vision statement and individual goals. Participants placed sticky notes on the boards to explain their agreement or disagreement.
Most panels indicated agreement, although some participants provided feedback in which they disagreed with the vision statement or goals.
“If you can afford to live somewhere, then live there. If not, there are cheaper alternatives south and west of here,” read one sticky note, contradicting the goal of “increasing housing diversity.”
At the end of the meeting, Alvarez told the crowd that this feedback will be shared with the public in late September. A summary of public participation will be available on the website. Envision Evanston website.
From comprehensive visions to “bold steps”
Envision Evanston began its public turn to the basics at the July 22 City Council meeting, when Planning Director Elizabeth Williams presented a series of “bold steps” over the past six months. She also called on Council members to make concrete legislative proposals for policies to be included in the upcoming drafts, “with as much guidance” as they wanted to give.
At the time of writing, Mayor Daniel Biss is in charge. He submitted nine proposals on July 25, each seconded by Councilmembers Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward), Devon Reid (8th Ward) and Juan Geracaris (9th Ward). These include proposals to consolidate the number of wards in the new zoning plan, identify “growth centers and corridors” for higher-density development and allow new housing units of up to four units in the R1, R2 and R3 districts.
This week’s focus group sessions will be the next major public engagement initiative. Each session will be held in the community meeting room at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Thursday’s focus groups will cover:
- Jobs and economy from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
- Developer community from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Design professionals from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Housing and Community Development from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The sessions on Friday will cover:
- Social meeting points from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
- Justice and Prosperity from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Transport and mobility from 1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Land use and built environment from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The lack of a meeting on environmental and sustainability issues raised concerns in the Environment Council Earlier this monthas members said they wanted to ensure their feedback was meaningfully incorporated into the planning process. Williams assured the board that their input (including a detailed letter The communication submitted in July was really helpful and she said the first drafts of the initiative would be presented to her and other bodies, committees and commissions in September.
