EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - On September 25, 2017, the Evanston City Council took a number of steps to move forward the Robert Crown Community Center, Ice Complex and Library project. City Council approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for construction management services, approved the schematic design, and authorized a contract amendment for design development and construction document services by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects, LLC. In addition, a contract amendment for fundraising consultant services with Community Counselling Services, LLC was approved.

Evanston's 4th Ward Alderman Donald Wilson said, "I am thrilled that we are taking this next step toward the completion of our community center. The amount of work, collaboration and energy put into this project has been incredible. This is truly a community center in every sense and the teamwork that has gotten us to this point is inspiring."

"We’re delighted to see the project moving forward," said Daniel Stein, Board President of the Friends of the Robert Crown Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that spearheads community fundraising efforts for the project. "When the City Council votes 8-0, it gives us wind at our backs. People were skeptical, but we’re happy to be able to tell them that the project will happen. We truly thank all of our donors for the contributions they made before we even had plans to show them. There is still a big job in front of us, but this will be a center for all of Evanston. The notion of bringing a community center, daycare, hockey, turf sports, and the library branch under one roof is a winning formula."

Woodhouse Tinucci Architects, LLC provided a complete project update at the September 25 City Council meeting, including progress on fundraising, capital construction cost estimates, expected operating revenues and expenses,  and the anticipated community benefits. 

Presentation highlights:

• The initial feasibility study prepared estimated private contributions at $3 million to $5 million, which Friends of the Robert Crown Center (FRCC) has roughly doubled even before there was a design to show prospective donors. To date, there have been 396 total gifts and pledges totaling $9.4 million. Because the total square footage was increased based on community demand to 25,000 sq. ft., the revised fundraising goal to the end of project is $15 million.
• The potential funding sources for capital construction are $19.5 million (total funding) from the City of Evanston and Evanston Public Library, and $15 million through Friends of the Robert Crown Center, a volunteer-led nonprofit organization.
• The estimated total project cost is $40 million to $46 million. The cost estimate breaks down to $31 million in building costs, $8.5 million in site costs, $5 million in soft costs, plus a four percent contingency of $1.78 million (assuming a $46 million cost). Link to funding presentation.
• The schematic design presentation showed an open, inviting and sustainable building that could become an iconic neighborhood landmark. All public spaces would benefit from natural light and there would be an integrated and identifiable branch library. The lobby would become a dynamic social hub and programming would be extended to the exterior. The exterior plan includes lighted, fenced sports fields with areas for spectators and four tennis courts, as well as a reading garden, walking pathways, nature play areas, and a bike sharing station.
• Robert Crown Center is currently the most-used public facility in Evanston with 100,000 to 150,000 visits per year. With a new public library branch in the underserved southwest area of Evanston, as well as expanded day care, a second full rink, running track, larger gym, and three turf fields, visits are expected to soar to 150,000 to 200,000 per year.

The projected schedule for the project includes design Development in Fall 2017, to be followed by construction in Summer 2018 and a projected Fall 2019 opening.

Martin Lyons, Assistant City Manager and CFO, is the Robert Crown Center project leader for the City of Evanston. Lyons said, “I am happy with the progress made so far and look forward to seeing the construction documents and continued successful fundraising by the Friends of Robert Crown Center."

Updates, documents, meeting notes, and presentations are posted at cityofevanston.org/robertcrownproject. Residents who wish to receive notifications can text COE CROWN to 468311 to subscribe to text message alerts, or COE CROWN youremailaddress to 468311 to subscribe to email alerts.

To donate to the project, please visit friendsofcrown.org. For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, you may dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.