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Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. If you weren't able to make it to this month's 2nd Ward meeting, below is a recap of what you missed.
As always, my goal is to keep all neighbors in our ward informed about upcoming events and opportunities they can benefit from. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at pbraithwaite@cityofevanston.org, or 847-801-9386.
A special thank you is due to the guests and residents of the 2nd Ward who came to our meeting this month, including Evanston Director of Public Works Suzette Robinson, Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Maiworm, representatives from Valli Produce Frank Schwab and Lou Tenuta, 2nd Ward PST Officer Reggie Napier, Police Officer Marla Dukler, Community Engagement Specialist Patrick Deignan, Evanston Public Library Board President Michael Tannen, Peaceable Cities Executive Director Joey Rodger, and candidates for District 65 and District 202 school boards.
I ask that you please spread the word in the community about this newsletter. If you or someone you know would like to be added to this newsletter, please follow the link: cityofevanston.org/newsletter.
Thank you,
Ald. Peter Braithwaite
“We
Are One Community”
The Evanston Community Foundation, along with the Segal Visitors Center at Northwestern University and Northwestern's Dance Marathon, invite you to the first Business After Hours event of 2015! The event will take place on Thursday, February 19, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Northwestern University's new Segal Visitors Center, 1841 Sheridan Rd. Delicious appetizers will be provided by That Little Mexican Cafe.
Business After Hours is Evanston's #1 after hours networking event hosted by different Evanston Chamber of Commerce members each month. Enjoy an evening of connecting with old friends and new contacts over great food and beverages. Get more information and register >>>
 Beginning in 1995, Shorefront has, and continues to amass an archival collection of artifacts, documents, photographs and family archives that represent and depict the lives of Blacks on the Chicago suburban North Shore. The organization will host a meet and greet open house event on Friday, February 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Shorefront Legacy Center is located at 2214 Ridge Ave. on the lower level. Learn more about Shorefront >>>
Get information about immigration initiatives at the free "Immigration Matters" event on Friday, February 27, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Mt. Zion Tabernacle Church, 2101 Dempster St. For more information, contact Renne Stone at 847-886-9667 or renne@caribs4ace.org.
Valli Produce representatives Lou Tenuta and Frank Schwab presented a sneak preview of the 70,000-square-foot store, which is expected to open in Evanston Plaza in late June or early July 2015. The presentation included a look at plans for the interior and exterior of the store, including landscape improvements, signage and more. View the complete presentation >>>
Please stay tuned to this newsletter for future updates on Evanston Plaza and Valli Produce.
 2015 2nd Ward Projects
City of Evanston Director of Public Works Suzette Robinson shared an update on planned 2015 Capital Improvement Projects in the 2nd Ward. Projects include water main replacement, street resurfacing, traffic signal modernization, bike lane construction and lighting improvement. Below is a listing of 2015 2nd Ward projects, along with a tentative schedule for when these projects will take place. Please note: All timelines are tentative and subject to change.
- Dempster St. Water Main – Fowler Ave. to Dodge Ave. (April - May)
- Pitner Ave. Water Main –
Nathaniel Pl. to Dempster St., including street resurfacing (August - September)
- Dempster St. Traffic Signal
Modernization - Fowler Ave., Hartrey Ave., Shopping Center Access Dr., and Dodge Ave. (4 locations total) (Summer)
- Dempster St. Resurfacing – North
Shore Channel to Ridge Ave. (Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Project) (July - September)
- Hartrey Ave. Resurfacing –
Cleveland St. to Washington St. (May - June)
- Davis St. Resurfacing – Fowler
Ave. to Pitner Ave. (May - June)
- Dodge Ave. Protected Bike Lane
– Howard St. to Church St. (mid-June - mid-August)
- Bike Path through Mason Park –
Davis St. to Church St. (Fall)
- ETHS/Church St. Bike Path –
McCormick Blvd. to Dodge Ave. (TBD)
- ETHS/Dodge Ave. Pedestrian
Lighting – Lake St. to Church St. (June - July)
Street resurfacing projects include street curb repairs as needed, construction of ADA accessible ramps at the intersections, grinding/milling the asphalt pavement, street base repairs, manhole frame adjustments and final asphalt paving.
For questions about these projects, please contact City of Evanston Senior Project Manager of Construction and Design Dan Manis at 847-448-4311, or dmanis@cityofevanston.org.
50/50
Sidewalk Replacement
Under the 50/50 sidewalk replacement program,
the City pays half the cost of replacing the eligible sidewalk with the
property owner paying the other 50 percent. The program covers all public sidewalks
in the City. Any resident or business owner is eligible to participate in
the program and projects are accepted on a first-come, first-served
basis. To sign up for the program, please call/text 847-448-4311.
Strip
Patching Locations
The
City will once again hire a contractor to grind and replace larger segments of
bad streets. These are locations that
require more than pothole patching. If
you know of a location, please submit a 311 Service Request online or call/text 847-448-4311.
SNAP
Lighting
The
Safe Neighborhood Area Project is a program to install improved street lighting and is intended to increase neighborhood safety. Potential locations will be identified by Public Works in cooperation
with the Police Department.
Penny Park
City
Council has assigned the community planning process to the Parks &
Recreation Board. The Board will next meet on Thursday, February 19, 7 p.m., in Room 2200 of the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
 Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Maiworm attended last week's 2nd Ward meeting to review the City's snow clearing procedures in the wake of this month's major snow event, when more than 20 inches of snow fell in Evanston. Thank you again to all community members who shoveled sidewalks, dug out fire hydrants, and helped neighbors clear snow, and to our great Public Works staff that worked tirelessly to keep City streets safe. City crews were greatly assisted by residents' widespread cooperation with the declared Snow Route Parking Ban and Snow Emergency. As the winter season continues, please review snow parking regulations and the many courtesy notification methods offered by the City. More >>>
 2nd Ward Problem Solving Team (PST) Officer Reggie Napier and Police Officer Marla Dukler provided an update on crime in the 2nd Ward.
Evanston Police recently arrested two juveniles in connection with several vehicle burglaries in northwest Evanston. Officer Dukler reminded residents to lock their vehicles and their homes, and to keep valuables out of sight, as the vast majority of thefts and burglaries are crimes of opportunity. If you see suspicious activity, please call 9-1-1.
To view up-to-date crime information, Officer Napier encouraged residents to visit CrimeReports.com. Residents can also sign up for the Evanston Police Department's Daily Crime Report at cityofevanston.org/newsletter.
 As a reminder, the deadline to file senior citizen property tax reduction applications has been extended to April 1, 2015. Please contact the City's Property Tax Assessment Review Office, at 847-448-8168, for help completing the forms. More >>>
First-installment property tax bills for tax year 2014 are due on Tuesday, March 3. Evanston residents are encouraged to call the City’s Property Tax Assessment Review Office with any questions or concerns. More >>>
Need help filing your taxes? The Center for Economic Progress is offering free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers at the Evanston Public Library. Help is available at the main library through April 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sessions may end early once capacity is reached; assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no income requirement; all community members are welcome. Visit in February or March for shorter wait times!
Learn more and find out what to bring! View the program flyer >>>
 Have you voted for Evanston today? Our beautiful city is competing in the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour City Challenge, along with Cleveland and Seattle. Please help Evanston’s bid to win by visiting WeLoveEvanston.org every day through March 27 to vote and provide feedback on ways we can become even more sustainable. More >>>
Peaceable Cities Executive Director Joey Rodger encouraged residents to view and spread the word about its Resource Directory, which lists valuable resources available to community members in need. The directory includes resources for a wide variety of issues, including emergency housing, teen pregnancy, senior services and much more. Visit peaceablecitiesevanston.org to learn more.
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