As you know, Trader Joe’s announced in February that it will finally come to Evanston and has plans to locate at 1211 Chicago Avenue. The plans for Trader Joe’s include a 13,000 square foot new store that will be constructed at the site occupied by the former Blockbuster building. A surface parking lot will be developed on the remainder of the former Blockbuster building. In addition to this property, the city will acquire two properties directly to the north of this property that will be incorporated into a surface parking lot.  Information on the city’s acquisition can be found here>>>

Last month, Terraco, the real estate developer for Trader Joe’s, submitted plans to the city to enter into the formal planned development process. The city’s formal planned development process is a requirement of all new development for sites in excess of 30,000 square feet. The first step in this process is to attend the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission reviews the proposed development and is a recommending body to City Council. This is a multi-step process that affords several public meetings and will occur over multiple months. Many residents were mailed notices that informed them of the Plan Commission meeting occurring tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. The submittal and the entire Plan Commission packet can be viewed here>>>

Over the past week, many residents sent me thoughtful and detailed emails or placed phone calls to me regarding their concerns about the proposed site plan. Chief among concerns was that the eastern lot line did not include a continuous fence to properly separate the alley from Trader Joe’s. 

I want to assure everyone that from the start of this project I opposed any access to the alley for Trader Joe’s deliveries. As a resident in the 1100 block of Hinman Avenue with a home that backs up to Whole Foods, I am intimately aware of the day-to-day experiences of living next to a grocery store. After learning of resident concerns, I immediately convened a meeting with the developers of the property to discuss how we can revise their proposed site plan to close any vehicular opening to the alley. Over the past 24-hours, Terraco and Trader Joe’s worked to re-orient the site to close the eastern lot line to restrict all vehicle access to the alley from the site.  

I will be available this evening prior to the Plan Commission meeting to meet with any residents.  I will be at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center (2100 Ridge Avenue) in the Aldermanic Library (a conference room next to City Council Chambers) at 6:00 p.m. to meet with anyone who has concerns or would like to speak to me further about this project. I am committed to making sure this is the best Trader Joe’s store in the country and that Chicago Avenue and our alley is maintained at the highest level. 

Sincerely,

Melissa Wynne

Third Ward Alderman

847/328-5651