City of Evanston Blog
Articles Posted in: Community Development
Economic Development Update
Economic Development Manager Nancy Radzevich has written the following OpEd piece that she is submitting to area publications. Evanston Economic Development Update : Nancy Radzevich, Economic Development Manager, City of Evanston Evanston has long been a vibrant, exciting place to live, work and shop. The strengths of the community have supported the strengths of the overall Evanston economy. With the national economy beginning to see the first signs of recovery, so is the City of Evanston. Mayor Tisdahl and the Evanston…
Evanston Rated A Top Walkable Suburb
A great article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal by Richard Florida discusses smart "edge cities" like us. In the article, a survey of top walkable suburbs in America is listed. Evanston is rated #4 in the country. Richard Florida thinks and writes about issues facing cities. His latest book, The Great Reset, outlines qualities that cities will need to succeed in the future. Many of the great qualities Evanston has (lots of smart people, walkable, diverse, near successful big city,…
Chicago Structural Advantages and Professional Services
I came across this interesting entry in a blog called "The Urbanophile" that shares the author's thoughts on future economic development strategies for the greater Chicago area. I think this makes a lot of sense especially for Evanston. Thoughts?…
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Lehman Walker
The City received unexpected news this week with the announcement that Community and Economic Development Director Lehman Walker would be returning to University Center, Missouri where he had served many years as the Community Development Director to become its City Manager. Lehman has been such a great addition to the City's team since joining us late last year. I remember greeting him on his first day saying to take his time to get to know his new department because on…
Evanston Incubator Named Top Ten in Nation by Forbes Magazine
The Evanston Technology Innovation Center was recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of ten technology incubators "changing the world." The TIC is one of Evanston's greatest economic development engines. Glad to see that Forbes agrees.…
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Downtown Evanston Google Day Specials
Downtown Evanston asked businesses to create specials for Google Day. Check them out here (PDF) including Google-tinis and the "Google Head Buzz."…
Evanston Takes Google Challenge
Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl announced today that the City of Evanston will respond to Google's Request for Information (RFI) to build ultra-high speed broadband networks in communities across America. Google announced last week its intention to launch ultra-high speed broadband internet networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Google's vision of a fiber-to-the-home network with open access fits well with Evanston's focus on making the community "the Most Livable City in America." Mayor Tisdahl has asked City Manager…
Senator Dick Durbin Visit on Home Foreclosures
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin visited Evanston this morning to tour the area of west Evanston that will be helped by the City's $18 million Federal grant to rid the community of many of its abandoned foreclosed homes. Accompanying Senator Durbin on this tour was U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and members of the Evanston City Council.…
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NSP Grant Application Overview Video
This is a video done this past summer by the Evanston Roundtable that gives a great overview of the City's successful NSP2 application.…
Evanston Receives $18 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds
The City of Evanston has received over $18 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds (NSP2) through the Federal Government's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will be used in a public/private partnership to help redevelop or create new construction to address the urgent issue of blighted and foreclosed properties. View grant application here. The award of $18,150,000 in NSP2 funds will be used in targeted areas across two census tracts (west Evanston and south Evanston) that have been identified as areas…
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New Downtown Zoning Website
From our Community Development Department: A new web page has been introduced to support the zoning implementation of the Downtown Plan Update (adopted by Council February 2009). Anticipated to run through Spring 2010, the effort will put the updated Downtown Plan into action in the form of eight new zoning districts and will encompass all of downtown Evanston. You can access the page here or from the Zoning page of the City of Evanston web site The web page will provide general…
Walker Appointed Community Development Director
Lehman Walker has been appointed the City's new Director of Community Development. Walker currently holds same position in University City, Missouri. See press release for more information.…
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2010-2014 Consolidated Plan Priority Needs Survey
The City is conducting a survey to get community input regarding housing and non-housing needs for the City in the next five years. This will help guide the City in deciding how to allocate entitlement grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Shelter Grant programs that are to be used to benefit primarily low and moderate income persons. Priority needs, strategies, and ways to…
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