Friday, Jan. 12, 2024   |   View in browser

Snow Parking Restrictions Declared

Evanston Public Works crews are out plowing streets after the city received snow overnight last night. Some areas in Evanston are expected to receive up to six inches of snow over the next few days.

To facilitate snow clearing operations, the following parking restrictions will be enforced. Vehicles in violation are subject to ticketing and towing.

Snow Route Parking Ban Friday and Saturday Night, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Parking is prohibited on main thoroughfares designated as Snow Routes (.pdf) overnight on:

• Friday, Jan. 12 at 11 p.m. until Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6 a.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 13 at 11 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 14 at 6 a.m.

Snow Emergency likely Saturday and Sunday

Although a snow emergency has not been declared at this time, it is likely that it will be declared for Saturday and Sunday. 

Snow Emergency even/odd parking restrictions apply to streets with parking on both sides that are not posted as Snow Routes.

• Parking may be prohibited on sides of the street with odd-numbered addresses on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Parking may be prohibited on sides of the street with even-numbered addresses on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Most streets with parking on one side only now have permanent “ODD date” or “EVEN date” signs that allow them to be plowed during Snow Emergencies. Please follow the posted signage.

Visit cityofevanston.org/snow for more information. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep Evanston streets safe.

FAQ: How can I assist plowing operations today?

Even though Snow Emergency even/odd parking restrictions are not being enforced today, Friday, Jan. 12, you can assist plows by parking according to the posted street signage. For today, January 12, that means avoiding parking on even-numbered sides of streets that are not posted as Snow Routes.

As noted above, Snow Emergency even/odd parking restrictions will likely be enforced on Saturday and Sunday.

Free Off-Street Parking Options Available

City surface parking lots 

The City is offering free parking in the following surface parking lots through Tuesday, January 16 at 8 a.m.:

• Lot 3, 1700 Chicago Ave.
• Lot 4, Central Street at Stewart Avenue (metered spaces only)
• Lot 8, 800 block of Main St., westside of lot (metered spaces only)
• Lot 16, 800/900 Noyes St. at the CTA tracks
• Lot 24, 727 Main St.
• Lot 25, 1614 Maple Ave. (metered spaces only)
• Lot 27, 1621 Oak Ave.
• Lot 51, 927 Noyes St. (metered spaces only)
• Lot 54, Central Street Metra Station
• Lot 67, 700 block of Howard St. (metered spaces only)

*Note: 2, 3, and 12 hour parking limits will not be enforced, and payment will not be required. Overnight parking will be allowed.

View a map of surface parking lots (.pdf). Please note that the Levy Center and Robert Crown Community Center parking lots are reserved for patrons of those facilities.

Reminder: Emergency sirens to sound

To remind community members to move their vehicles, emergency sirens will sound at 8:15 p.m. for a Snow Route Parking Ban.

Extended Warming Center Hours

Be a good neighbor, shovel your sidewalks!

Don't forget to clear your sidewalks of snow and ice to allow everyone, including seniors and those with disabilities, to travel safely. As a reminder: 

• Property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing sidewalks within 24 hours after any accumulation of snow or ice; paths must be at least 36 inches wide. This includes crosswalks and ramps.

• Do not push snow onto adjacent streets, sidewalks or alleys.

• As snow rolls off plows, it will sometimes accumulate in driveway aprons, sidewalks and parkways. This is unavoidable, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to keep their sidewalks clear. (See below for a driveway shoveling tip.)

• Remove snow from your steps and driveway so that essential workers, including Post Office carriers, first responders, and delivery drivers who often carry packages and carts, have a clear path to safely approach homes and businesses.

• All sidewalks/walkways on multi-family properties must be cleared.

• If removing the snow is not possible, use salt or sand to eliminate the hazard.

• Clear snow from around trash and recycling containers so that crews can access and empty them.

• Adopt a fire hydrant. Clear snow so that first responders can see and access it in the event of an emergency.

Get assistance: The Snow Shoveling Assistance Program connects senior and disabled residents with volunteers who are willing to provide snow shoveling services.

Have a driveway? Shovel snow in the same direction that traffic is moving and clear snow from the opposite side to provide a space for plows to drop snow. 

Reminder: Clear the area around refuse carts

Clear snow from around your trash and recycling carts so that crews can access and empty them.

WINtering Together

Review these helpful winter reminders. (Watch video in Spanish.)

Additional Closures

• The Evanston Dog Beach is closed today, January 12

• Both the City Collector's Office and City Clerk's Office are closed today, January 12 for in-person transactions

• The Robert Crown Branch Library will be closed today, January 12 and tomorrow, January 13. The Main Library Branch will close at 2 p.m. today and open at noon tomorrow, January 13

• While community centers remain open, all classes have been canceled for today, January 12

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.