I'm pleased to announce that Valli Produce has completed its purchase of the Evanston Plaza Shopping Center!

Valli hopes to open as early as mid-May of next year, and plans to renovate and expand the existing 58,000 square feet of supermarket space by an additional 11,000 square feet. Evanston will be the fourth suburban location for Valli, whose current locations include Arlington Heights, Glendale Heights, Hoffman Estates, Loves Park and Rockford.

Valli has stressed its commitment to a high level of customer service and takes pride in stocking the highest quality produce and hard-to-find ingredients. 

Stay tuned to this newsletter and future ward meetings for more information from Valli about its plans for Evanston Plaza.

City of Evanston Economic Development Coordinator Meagan Jones shared information about some of the exciting businesses that have recently opened or are planning to open their doors in Evanston.

The new Starbucks café on the northwest corner of Dempster St. and Dodge Ave. is now open! The café has seating for 50 indoors, seating for 20 outside, and a drive-through window.

Please also welcome Fitness Avenues, Give Me A Break Hair, Spa & Wellness Center, Just Turkey, Goldfish Swim School and other businesses that recently opened or are planning to open their doors in the 2nd Ward.

Please continue to support these businesses!

2nd Ward PST Officer Reggie Napier shared an update from crimereports.com, the online database that tracks reports of crime in Evanston.

From June 11 to September 11, there was only one reported home burglary in the 2nd Ward. The vast majority of burglaries targeted garages and storage units, with bicycles and construction equipment being the most stolen items. Officer Napier encouraged residents to help prevent crimes of opportunity by closing and locking doors to garages and storage units, and by registering bicycles with the Evanston Police Department. Officer Napier also reminded residents that a listing of property recently recovered by the Evanston Police Department can now be found online >>>

Residents can assist the Evanston Police Department in ongoing investigations by identifying suspects in crime surveillance photos. Those wishing to provide identifying information on the suspects in the photos to the Evanston Police Detective Bureau should call 847-866-5040, or utilize the anonymous text-a-tip program.

Finally, even though school is back in session, curfew still applies to children 17 and under. Curfew ordinances are created for the safety of minors as well as to maintain the quality of life throughout neighborhoods. Sunday through Thursday, curfew begins at 10 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. the following day. Friday and Saturday, curfew begins at 11 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. the following day. More >>>

Assistant Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Sat Nagar provided an update on street and sidewalk resurfacing and other projects in the 2nd Ward.

Street Resurfacing - Complete

• Davis St., from Wesley Ave. to Asbury Ave. (including water main replacement)
• Clark St., from Ridge Ave. to Oak Ave.
• Oak Ave., from Church St. to Clark St.
• Fowler Ave., from Greenleaf St. to Dempster St.
• Grey Ave., from Cleveland St. to Washington St.

Construction Schedule – Late September to Mid-October

• Washington St., from Dodge Ave. to Dewey Ave. (including water main lining project)
• Hartrey Ave., from Greenwood St. to Lake St.
• Darrow Ave., from Greenleaf St. to Crain St.

Street resurfacing projects include curb replacement as needed, construction of ADA accessible ramps at the intersections, grinding/milling asphalt pavement, street base repair, drainage/utility structure work including adjustment and final asphalt paving with pavement striping.

Pitner Ave./ Dempster St. Sidewalk – Late September to Mid-October

The limit of the proposed sidewalk on the west side of Pitner Ave. is from north Greenleaf St. to Dempster St., and the sidewalk limit on the south side of Dempster St. is from Pitner Ave. to Hartrey Ave. The proposed sidewalk is 1,535 feet long and its width varies from 4' to 5’ 4”.

SNAP (Safer Neighborhood Area Project) Light

The project involves increasing the existing wattage of the Tallmadge street lights from 85 watts to 165 watts.

• McDaniel Ave. and Fowler Ave., from Main St. to Dempster St. – Completed
• Fowler Ave., from Dempster St. to Church St. – Completion in winter 2014

Dodge Ave./ETHS Pedestrian Light

The project involves the installation of pedestrian lights on the west side of Dodge Ave. in front of ETHS between Church St. and Lake St., and on the east side in front of the ETHS parking lot. The pedestrian lights will be mounted on the existing street light poles. Installation is expected to be completed by fall 2014.

City of Evanston Cultural Arts Coordinator Jennifer Lasik and Downtown Evanston Executive Director Annie Coakley shared information about a planned public art project in the 2nd Ward, located just east of the CTA tracks at Clark St. and Benson Ave. In the coming months, a committee will be formed to choose a design and an artist. Stay tuned for more information about this project!

I would like to invite residents to attend a special City Council meeting on Monday, September 29, 7 p.m., in the Morton Civic Center's Council Chambers, focusing on bicycle transportation in Evanston. Discussion will include the proposed Chicago/Sheridan Bike Lane Project and the City’s overall Bike Plan Update.

Assistant Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Sat Nagar presented options for the Chicago/Sheridan project. View the slideshow presentation >>>

Comments, questions and ideas about bicycle transportation improvements in Evanston can be emailed to bikes@cityofevanston.org.

After meeting with children and parents this spring and gathering feedback from the community, the City is planning to move forward with redesigning Penny Park in 2015. Notes from the spring meeting and a draft schematic of the park are available online >>>

Penny Park will appear on the City Council Agenda on Monday, October 13, 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Morton Civic Center. I invite you all to attend this meeting to support this project.

Please stay tuned to this newsletter for updates.

Community Meeting for Latino Residents on Sunday, October 5

On Sunday, October 5 at 2:30 p.m., I invite members of the Latino community to join myself, members of the City Council, City of Evanston staff and community organizations for an informational meeting and community discussion at St. Nicholas Church’s Oldershaw Hall, 806 Ridge Ave. Topics will include services for Spanish-speaking residents; safety, health and other concerns within the community; improving outreach to Spanish-speaking residents; and how to contact elected officials. Information will be presented in English and Spanish, and a translator will be available. Please spread the word about this meeting. More >>>

This fall, District 65 is embarking on a strategic planning process that will set priorities and guide work over the next three years. In order to develop a strong, effective plan that reflects the issues and concerns of all stakeholders, District 65 is encouraging you to get involved. Learn more >>> 

On Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., join Family Focus Evanston for a free Community Playday for Families! Seven stations focusing on many developmental domains will feature fun, interactive and age-appropriate activities for children of all ages. Families will be encouraged to explore each station at their own pace and have the opportunity to learn more about how their child’s play is contributing to his/her development. Family Focus is located at 2010 Dewey Ave. in Evanston. More information >>>

Northwestern University will hold its second annual Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities Job Fair on Monday, November 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Northwestern University's Norris University Center. Participants are asked to RSVP by Friday, October 31 by emailing eeo@northwestern.edu (Subject: JOB FAIR), or calling 847-491-7458. More information >>>