Dear Mr. Yep: To your point that downtown Evanston is bereft of free market influence, let me say that should you decide to open an underwear store you'll find plenty of vacant space.
Well that depends on your your preference.
CVS generally carries Hanes.
They carry socks and nylons too.
Something sporty, why not try the yoga shop or Uncle Dan's,
the Gap and Jos. A. Bank, or Ann Taylor?
All the best in your quest for the perfect pair of boxers or briefs!
Or maybe that is bikinis or boy shorts!
I knew him well enough to know that he would take his own life. I believe it was a murder. He was a guy that loved to laugh and make others laugh also... we all have problems sometimes that may be hard to bare but knowing him, he wasn't the type to take the easy way out. He was ready to graduate college soon and why would anyone take their own life away when it just about to begin.
Epstein was dead on, and your comments are even more dead on. The redevelopment of Evanston was anything but free market based. I was fortunate enough to read Epstein's opinion piece just in the course of my morning routine, instead of being directed to it by someone who already had formed an opinion of their own. People have been saying for years that there aren't any useful shops in downtown Evanston. Where can you go to buy a pair of underwear?
It'll be interesting to see if the owner's "green" approach will be apply to the demolition as well. Or will the entire kit and kaboodle go to landfill.
The operative word is "deconstruction". I'm sure there are metro area contractors that do it. (They might even bid for it.)
So the police department can do nothing about gang violence? This is the sum of Mr. Eddingtons advice and wisdom on this topic, gangs will continue to do what they want because they "are not intimidated by police presence."
What can the law abiding citizen walk away with from this statement?! Lock your doors and pass the ammunition?
Why have other municipalities found a way to dramatically curb gang violence and activity in their community's. New York being one obvious example. Their crime rate dropped precipitously after their police department instigated a broken windows policy.
the theory is that crime breeds crime in an endless cycle. In order to stop crime at all levels you have to attack the chain at all levels. In other words it takes complete and total enforcement of all laws in order to uphold order and send a message. This is law enforcement without subjectivity. If it is illegal to spit on the sidewalk and a police officer sees you do such, you will receive a ticket.\
Back to Evanston. Are our laws and ordinances being enforced? I and many others have called police about excessive noise on several occasions. How many tickets are written for disturbing the peace. Yes, a police car will usually show up, and will sit their, but the noise is not abatted. Why? Because Mr. Eddington is right, those commiting these acts have no respect or fear of the police, but then again they manage to carry on with their anti-social behavior even when the police are called.
I have called the police about excessive car stereos and have e-mailed complaints to the department about lack of enforcement. How many tickets are given for this offence? It would appear to be none, though I might be mistaken. I took last Thursday off work, and while grilling in the back yard heard four such occurences in one half hour. This is around noon on a weekday. Is the police department really too busy to enforce such a low level law on a weekday morning? It also begs the question that if I heard four seperate cars driving around Evanston and the police department has cars patrolling, why should I even have to call in a complaint. The officers should have to have me tell them what the law is.
Not only would enforcement of this make quitter, saner neighborhoods, the hefty (not $50) fine could go a long way to filling Evanstons budget woes. Four cars in one half hour with $250 tickets, a thousand bucks for just enforcing the law. How many junk haulers would the city council have to liscense to make this much money?
Make no mistake, these aren't overly obnoxious teenagers with their factory stereos cranked up, they are 20 30 and 40 year old men who have spent thousands to make there cars this loud. With this level of disrespect and lack of consideration it would not surprise me in the least of some of these men (though probably not all) were of the worse caliber of Evanston citizen and a traffic stop (with cause) might turn up evidence of other illegal activities such as weapons or drugs. This could lead to safer streets for Evanston citizens. I am not stereo-typing I am basing this on observed negative behavior.
With a rise in violent crime, maybe a new strategy is in order or someone with a new strategy.
The dubious esthetics of the existing home notwithstanding, we should applaud this investment in green architecture. The proposed new house is not only smaller than the existing one, but it replaces a large driveway and swimming pool with permeable surfaces and landscaping, puts the garage below ground and employs geo-thermal heating and cooling, passive and active solar design, water conservation, a green roof, recycled and renewable building materials, etc. I'd say those are reasons to celebrate the decision to scape the existing house and build new!
Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and observe Eamon Kelly as he kicks off his campaign for State Representative of the 18th District. It has been an extraordinary period of time, because I’ve gotten to known Eamon Kelly, the candidate, and hear about the issues he cares about and watch him listen to people in the 18th talk about the issues they care about. What is particularly exciting to me is that someone who was my classmate at Dewey Elementary School, Nichols Middle School, and ETHS is now running for state office. He brings to this race a knowledge of a new generation of engaged Evanstonians. On top of this he has added experience working in state government in Springfield.
In an early start to the political "silly season," some candidates and their supporters seem to want to play the game how much of an Evanstonian are you. Too often this gets counted as years lived in Evanston or how many long-time friends living in Evanston give you campaign money. It is a game that seems to say that if you are young, energetic, born-and-raised in the local community, and have some innovative ideas that is not enough in a world where wisdom and capabilities are simplistically equated to years lived in a community. Only a few months since the remarkable political events of last November some seem to have forgotten how new ideas, new faces, and new approaches are welcome changes to many residents.
In challenging economic and political times where business as usual does not work any more, let's keep the focus on new ideas, creativity, and a vision for the future. The same old posturing to avoid serious consideration of the difficult road ahead of us is merely a distraction, a waste of time, and an implicit critic of the new ideas and new energy being brought to the table by Eamon Kelly.
I'm skeptical of the Mayor's claim that ideas made the difference in the mayoral election.
If you have lots of money to spend, you will get your picture and slogans in front of a lot of people. If you have been generous with your money, people will take the time to listen to your ideas. It doesn't mean they are good ideas.
The mayor won the election. But to discount how much money she spent -- I don't buy it.
And two pieces of her advice for candidates will be helpful to others who have wealth but it doesn't bode well for those of us who are not uber-wealthy:
1. "Be a full-time candidate." Us mere mortals with jobs certainly can't do that.
2. "Fund the campaign with your own money and donations." Sorry, Mayor, but my cash is tied up in my house and the astronomical property taxes here. There is nothing left in my bank account to devote to funding a campaign to secure a low-paying elected office.
Is the Mayor advising that only the wealthy will have a shot at running this city in the future?
The graph above about in-district v. out-of-district money reinforce what I've seen of this race. I've been working with Jeff Smith for several weeks now. This is my third campaign in a state representative race. Those are always both challenging and rewarding, because they're so local. But this one is unusual, and I wanted others in this community to know why.
This last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I accompanied Jeff while he met and greeted hundreds of residents on the West Side of Evanston, at a Farmers Market, at the Winnetka sidewalk sale, at public events in downtown Evanston and on the lakefront, and at a meeting in Rogers Park. I've seen candidates before who could work a crowd of strangers, or had some name recognition. What I've never seen is a candidate being greeted, over and over again, by people who already knew him(!) because of his connection to the community. Not knew "of" him -- knew him. If Jeff said hi to a dozen folks, invariably one of them was a neighbor, a former student, the parent or sibling of a chess or baseball player he'd coached, a business owner he knows, someone he'd worked with on a local plan, or a volunteer he'd campaigned with on some grassroots cause. People seeing my campaign t-shirt or Jeff's sticker walked over on their own and said hi, reminding him of their connection and updating him on what they're doing. If the voter had never met Jeff, usually they had a mutual friend or common link from one of his community activities.
One of the reason campaigns can get expensive is because unknowns have to spend a lot of money to create an image, like marketing a new brand of soda pop. If you don't know the territory, you have to spend a lot on polling and focus groups to try and figure out the constituents. I feel lucky to be instead working on a real movement for someone who has a real base in the community, based on decades of involvement. If Jeff is elected "representative," I know he truly will be.
Mr. Who Knows What??! there is one problem with your suggestion for the City government to move to shiny new offices.
Where is the money?
Where are they going to come up with close to $100 megabucks? They certainly won't get that for the present site or revenue from the non-existent real estate developments.
What about the pension funds?
Other infrastructure needs?
Are you suggesting IOU's? Have you been talking to Arnold?
Vito says:
"While the City quibbles over sticks or carrots for encouraging LEEDS, John and Muffy have done the greenest job of all: reusing existing buildings. Not only that, they are helping to revitalize an area.
Hint: Civic Center!"
It looks like Renaissance has done a great job. And Vito, your 'hint' is excellent. Let's have Renaissance Realty work their magic on the Civic Center, and develop it into loft apartments and offices, while the city government moves to a shiny new office closer to the center of town, more accessable by public transportation.
John Leineweber and Muffy McAuley are to be commended for what they are doing, in an area that was basically forsaken by the City and developers. While the City quibbles over sticks or carrots for encouraging LEEDS, John and Muffy have done the greenest job of all: reusing existing buildings. Not only that, they are helping to revitalize an area.
Yes, Epstein's article was silly. It had all of the usual NIMBY sentimentality about non-existant good old days, when downtowns were filled with delightful family-owned stores.
Some people don't like to admit it, but chains are successful because they are good at providing what customers want. I go to the Sherman Ave Starbucks instead of Unicorn because Starbucks gets my order to me faster, they have a cleaner store, and better hours.
According to the article,
"Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is no longer the tar pit of the nation’s air-transportation system.
In the eight months since a new runway opened at the U.S.’s second-busiest airport, plagued for decades with lengthy flight delays, O’Hare has operated with above-average on-time arrivals—better than Dallas, Atlanta and Denver in 2009, according to FlightStats.com. O’Hare’s on-time arrival rate improved by 27% so far this year compared with the same period of 2008. That was twice the improvement of any other big U.S. airport.
Remember all of the NIMBYs from Bensenville or Elk Grove Village complaining about the new runways? Fortunately, they did not succeed. And now - because the NIMBYs have been defeated, thousands of Americans are receiving the benefits of fewer delayed flights.
Re: Lighting
Light the path's surfaces with low bollards that throw light out and down, eliminating the potential of horizontal bleed to neighboring resident's yards. they would also be low voltage, less money, more attractive and less obtrusive in the landscape.
The issue is far from settled. The District has OFFERED a settlement, one that robs the affected retirees of thousands and thousands of dollars of furture pension monies.
Some teachers are choosing the take the offer, some are going to continue to fight to get what they were promised by the District.
I think what Mr. Epstein was trying to say is he preferred downtown Evanston when there was Mindscape Art Gallery, Gimcracks, Ganache Bakery, Ofischl Sports, Mostly Handmade, Chandlers, Joans Sweet Shoppe, Bills Grocery, Evanston Photographic Studios, Rosies Toy Store, Chicago Compact Disc, The Worlds Largest Garage Sale, and so on.
And there weren't empty buildings like the former Borders and Barnes & Nobles that had been canabolized.
If that was Mr. Epsteins point, then I agree with him.
As far as Mr. Permans letter, I take issue that Downtown Evanston was redeveloped in a free market enviroment. That isn't true. Downtown Evanston was redeveloped by means of illegal closed door meetings and the use of TIF money that remains highly questionable in its use. One can only wish downtown Evanston was redeveloped in a free market enviroment as many of the independent stores listed above might still be there today or replaced by other independents which was the trend 'back in the day'.
Times change, we all move on, and downtown Evanston isn't what it used to be. For some, that is a good thing.
I am now over here on Noyes Street where there is 100% occupancy in every storefront and 0% chain stores. Just like my old business neighborhood used to be and for me, that is a good thing.
I still tend to believe in the free market: of non profits are paying rents below what the market commands, landlords will find better tenants; if property values increase so much where a non profit has property, eventually property taxes will reflect that or a developer might make an attractive offer for the non-profit's property.
In other words, if non profits are paying, on average, lower rents than for profits, it does not follow that for profit companies that would pay higher rents are being crowded out of the market. We are seeing enough stores closing down already. Perhaps they are being crowded out by high taxation from bankrupt city?
Those despicable non profit organizations, like Northwestern University or the hospitals, are precisely the type of employers that will keep the Evanston economy afloat through a recession.
Why would you complain about this? It does not affect you at all and it is putting people to work. Especially in the down construction business. This person is choosing to build a new place, why should you criticize him for spending his money and putting it into the economy? I keep forgetting that some in this town just refuse change and would rather have the old historic (rotting) mansions than letting people do what they want with their property which they had to spend a fortune to obtain. Come on people...
The commission approved Mr. Bushala's plans so he should be able to do with his own property whatever he desires.
"One neighbor, however, requested that the commission postpone deciding on the plan until he could discuss it with Bushala." What??? Whether he desires to tear down and rebuild really should not be up for public opinion, the commission has authority, not his neighbors.
Tisdahl/Holmes yard signs were pretty common in the 5th Ward, yet no in-kind or committee to committee transfers are recorded in either Tisdahl's or Holmes filings. To what extent does one candidate helping other candidates constitute a political party?
Developers and business owners tell us that they can't follow LEED certification because it's too expensive, yet one of the only condo building success stories of the last year in Evanston at the moment is a LEED Gold certified building.
Hmm...
I think people need to spend less time fighting these standards and more time learning how to design and build buildings more efficiently, even if it costs more up front. Someday we'll look back and wonder why we allowed new buildings to be built using old inefficient methods at all.
Dear Mr. Yep: To your point that downtown Evanston is bereft of free market influence, let me say that should you decide to open an underwear store you'll find plenty of vacant space.
Well that depends on your your preference.
CVS generally carries Hanes.
They carry socks and nylons too.
Something sporty, why not try the yoga shop or Uncle Dan's,
the Gap and Jos. A. Bank, or Ann Taylor?
All the best in your quest for the perfect pair of boxers or briefs!
Or maybe that is bikinis or boy shorts!
Very sincerely
Manon Kavesky
I knew him well enough to know that he would take his own life. I believe it was a murder. He was a guy that loved to laugh and make others laugh also... we all have problems sometimes that may be hard to bare but knowing him, he wasn't the type to take the easy way out. He was ready to graduate college soon and why would anyone take their own life away when it just about to begin.
Good Friend Good Bye.
Epstein was dead on, and your comments are even more dead on. The redevelopment of Evanston was anything but free market based. I was fortunate enough to read Epstein's opinion piece just in the course of my morning routine, instead of being directed to it by someone who already had formed an opinion of their own. People have been saying for years that there aren't any useful shops in downtown Evanston. Where can you go to buy a pair of underwear?
It'll be interesting to see if the owner's "green" approach will be apply to the demolition as well. Or will the entire kit and kaboodle go to landfill.
The operative word is "deconstruction". I'm sure there are metro area contractors that do it. (They might even bid for it.)
So the police department can do nothing about gang violence? This is the sum of Mr. Eddingtons advice and wisdom on this topic, gangs will continue to do what they want because they "are not intimidated by police presence."
What can the law abiding citizen walk away with from this statement?! Lock your doors and pass the ammunition?
Why have other municipalities found a way to dramatically curb gang violence and activity in their community's. New York being one obvious example. Their crime rate dropped precipitously after their police department instigated a broken windows policy.
the theory is that crime breeds crime in an endless cycle. In order to stop crime at all levels you have to attack the chain at all levels. In other words it takes complete and total enforcement of all laws in order to uphold order and send a message. This is law enforcement without subjectivity. If it is illegal to spit on the sidewalk and a police officer sees you do such, you will receive a ticket.\
Back to Evanston. Are our laws and ordinances being enforced? I and many others have called police about excessive noise on several occasions. How many tickets are written for disturbing the peace. Yes, a police car will usually show up, and will sit their, but the noise is not abatted. Why? Because Mr. Eddington is right, those commiting these acts have no respect or fear of the police, but then again they manage to carry on with their anti-social behavior even when the police are called.
I have called the police about excessive car stereos and have e-mailed complaints to the department about lack of enforcement. How many tickets are given for this offence? It would appear to be none, though I might be mistaken. I took last Thursday off work, and while grilling in the back yard heard four such occurences in one half hour. This is around noon on a weekday. Is the police department really too busy to enforce such a low level law on a weekday morning? It also begs the question that if I heard four seperate cars driving around Evanston and the police department has cars patrolling, why should I even have to call in a complaint. The officers should have to have me tell them what the law is.
Not only would enforcement of this make quitter, saner neighborhoods, the hefty (not $50) fine could go a long way to filling Evanstons budget woes. Four cars in one half hour with $250 tickets, a thousand bucks for just enforcing the law. How many junk haulers would the city council have to liscense to make this much money?
Make no mistake, these aren't overly obnoxious teenagers with their factory stereos cranked up, they are 20 30 and 40 year old men who have spent thousands to make there cars this loud. With this level of disrespect and lack of consideration it would not surprise me in the least of some of these men (though probably not all) were of the worse caliber of Evanston citizen and a traffic stop (with cause) might turn up evidence of other illegal activities such as weapons or drugs. This could lead to safer streets for Evanston citizens. I am not stereo-typing I am basing this on observed negative behavior.
With a rise in violent crime, maybe a new strategy is in order or someone with a new strategy.
longtime and concerned Evanston resident.
The dubious esthetics of the existing home notwithstanding, we should applaud this investment in green architecture. The proposed new house is not only smaller than the existing one, but it replaces a large driveway and swimming pool with permeable surfaces and landscaping, puts the garage below ground and employs geo-thermal heating and cooling, passive and active solar design, water conservation, a green roof, recycled and renewable building materials, etc. I'd say those are reasons to celebrate the decision to scape the existing house and build new!
Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and observe Eamon Kelly as he kicks off his campaign for State Representative of the 18th District. It has been an extraordinary period of time, because I’ve gotten to known Eamon Kelly, the candidate, and hear about the issues he cares about and watch him listen to people in the 18th talk about the issues they care about. What is particularly exciting to me is that someone who was my classmate at Dewey Elementary School, Nichols Middle School, and ETHS is now running for state office. He brings to this race a knowledge of a new generation of engaged Evanstonians. On top of this he has added experience working in state government in Springfield.
In an early start to the political "silly season," some candidates and their supporters seem to want to play the game how much of an Evanstonian are you. Too often this gets counted as years lived in Evanston or how many long-time friends living in Evanston give you campaign money. It is a game that seems to say that if you are young, energetic, born-and-raised in the local community, and have some innovative ideas that is not enough in a world where wisdom and capabilities are simplistically equated to years lived in a community. Only a few months since the remarkable political events of last November some seem to have forgotten how new ideas, new faces, and new approaches are welcome changes to many residents.
In challenging economic and political times where business as usual does not work any more, let's keep the focus on new ideas, creativity, and a vision for the future. The same old posturing to avoid serious consideration of the difficult road ahead of us is merely a distraction, a waste of time, and an implicit critic of the new ideas and new energy being brought to the table by Eamon Kelly.
I'm skeptical of the Mayor's claim that ideas made the difference in the mayoral election.
If you have lots of money to spend, you will get your picture and slogans in front of a lot of people. If you have been generous with your money, people will take the time to listen to your ideas. It doesn't mean they are good ideas.
The mayor won the election. But to discount how much money she spent -- I don't buy it.
And two pieces of her advice for candidates will be helpful to others who have wealth but it doesn't bode well for those of us who are not uber-wealthy:
1. "Be a full-time candidate." Us mere mortals with jobs certainly can't do that.
2. "Fund the campaign with your own money and donations." Sorry, Mayor, but my cash is tied up in my house and the astronomical property taxes here. There is nothing left in my bank account to devote to funding a campaign to secure a low-paying elected office.
Is the Mayor advising that only the wealthy will have a shot at running this city in the future?
The graph above about in-district v. out-of-district money reinforce what I've seen of this race. I've been working with Jeff Smith for several weeks now. This is my third campaign in a state representative race. Those are always both challenging and rewarding, because they're so local. But this one is unusual, and I wanted others in this community to know why.
This last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I accompanied Jeff while he met and greeted hundreds of residents on the West Side of Evanston, at a Farmers Market, at the Winnetka sidewalk sale, at public events in downtown Evanston and on the lakefront, and at a meeting in Rogers Park. I've seen candidates before who could work a crowd of strangers, or had some name recognition. What I've never seen is a candidate being greeted, over and over again, by people who already knew him(!) because of his connection to the community. Not knew "of" him -- knew him. If Jeff said hi to a dozen folks, invariably one of them was a neighbor, a former student, the parent or sibling of a chess or baseball player he'd coached, a business owner he knows, someone he'd worked with on a local plan, or a volunteer he'd campaigned with on some grassroots cause. People seeing my campaign t-shirt or Jeff's sticker walked over on their own and said hi, reminding him of their connection and updating him on what they're doing. If the voter had never met Jeff, usually they had a mutual friend or common link from one of his community activities.
One of the reason campaigns can get expensive is because unknowns have to spend a lot of money to create an image, like marketing a new brand of soda pop. If you don't know the territory, you have to spend a lot on polling and focus groups to try and figure out the constituents. I feel lucky to be instead working on a real movement for someone who has a real base in the community, based on decades of involvement. If Jeff is elected "representative," I know he truly will be.
Mr. Who Knows What??! there is one problem with your suggestion for the City government to move to shiny new offices.
Where is the money?
Where are they going to come up with close to $100 megabucks? They certainly won't get that for the present site or revenue from the non-existent real estate developments.
What about the pension funds?
Other infrastructure needs?
Are you suggesting IOU's? Have you been talking to Arnold?
Vito says:
"While the City quibbles over sticks or carrots for encouraging LEEDS, John and Muffy have done the greenest job of all: reusing existing buildings. Not only that, they are helping to revitalize an area.
Hint: Civic Center!"
It looks like Renaissance has done a great job. And Vito, your 'hint' is excellent. Let's have Renaissance Realty work their magic on the Civic Center, and develop it into loft apartments and offices, while the city government moves to a shiny new office closer to the center of town, more accessable by public transportation.
John Leineweber and Muffy McAuley are to be commended for what they are doing, in an area that was basically forsaken by the City and developers. While the City quibbles over sticks or carrots for encouraging LEEDS, John and Muffy have done the greenest job of all: reusing existing buildings. Not only that, they are helping to revitalize an area.
Hint: Civic Center!
Bravi!
What business is it of yours other than your obvious disdain for successful people, wheter inherited or EARNED.
Sounds like a shallow political ideology to me...
Yes, Epstein's article was silly. It had all of the usual NIMBY sentimentality about non-existant good old days, when downtowns were filled with delightful family-owned stores.
Some people don't like to admit it, but chains are successful because they are good at providing what customers want. I go to the Sherman Ave Starbucks instead of Unicorn because Starbucks gets my order to me faster, they have a cleaner store, and better hours.
But not all WSJ articles are stupid. I saw one today,
How a New Runway At O’Hare Makes Travel Easier for All .
According to the article,
"Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is no longer the tar pit of the nation’s air-transportation system.
In the eight months since a new runway opened at the U.S.’s second-busiest airport, plagued for decades with lengthy flight delays, O’Hare has operated with above-average on-time arrivals—better than Dallas, Atlanta and Denver in 2009, according to FlightStats.com. O’Hare’s on-time arrival rate improved by 27% so far this year compared with the same period of 2008. That was twice the improvement of any other big U.S. airport.
Remember all of the NIMBYs from Bensenville or Elk Grove Village complaining about the new runways? Fortunately, they did not succeed. And now - because the NIMBYs have been defeated, thousands of Americans are receiving the benefits of fewer delayed flights.
Re: Lighting
Light the path's surfaces with low bollards that throw light out and down, eliminating the potential of horizontal bleed to neighboring resident's yards. they would also be low voltage, less money, more attractive and less obtrusive in the landscape.
Dave Galloway
The issue is far from settled. The District has OFFERED a settlement, one that robs the affected retirees of thousands and thousands of dollars of furture pension monies.
Some teachers are choosing the take the offer, some are going to continue to fight to get what they were promised by the District.
I think what Mr. Epstein was trying to say is he preferred downtown Evanston when there was Mindscape Art Gallery, Gimcracks, Ganache Bakery, Ofischl Sports, Mostly Handmade, Chandlers, Joans Sweet Shoppe, Bills Grocery, Evanston Photographic Studios, Rosies Toy Store, Chicago Compact Disc, The Worlds Largest Garage Sale, and so on.
And there weren't empty buildings like the former Borders and Barnes & Nobles that had been canabolized.
If that was Mr. Epsteins point, then I agree with him.
As far as Mr. Permans letter, I take issue that Downtown Evanston was redeveloped in a free market enviroment. That isn't true. Downtown Evanston was redeveloped by means of illegal closed door meetings and the use of TIF money that remains highly questionable in its use. One can only wish downtown Evanston was redeveloped in a free market enviroment as many of the independent stores listed above might still be there today or replaced by other independents which was the trend 'back in the day'.
Times change, we all move on, and downtown Evanston isn't what it used to be. For some, that is a good thing.
I am now over here on Noyes Street where there is 100% occupancy in every storefront and 0% chain stores. Just like my old business neighborhood used to be and for me, that is a good thing.
With that said - Shop Evanston First!
I still tend to believe in the free market: of non profits are paying rents below what the market commands, landlords will find better tenants; if property values increase so much where a non profit has property, eventually property taxes will reflect that or a developer might make an attractive offer for the non-profit's property.
In other words, if non profits are paying, on average, lower rents than for profits, it does not follow that for profit companies that would pay higher rents are being crowded out of the market. We are seeing enough stores closing down already. Perhaps they are being crowded out by high taxation from bankrupt city?
Those despicable non profit organizations, like Northwestern University or the hospitals, are precisely the type of employers that will keep the Evanston economy afloat through a recession.
Why would you complain about this? It does not affect you at all and it is putting people to work. Especially in the down construction business. This person is choosing to build a new place, why should you criticize him for spending his money and putting it into the economy? I keep forgetting that some in this town just refuse change and would rather have the old historic (rotting) mansions than letting people do what they want with their property which they had to spend a fortune to obtain. Come on people...
Lost in all of this worship of green is the fact that money is also a scarce resource. Will these LEED embellishments pay off?
The commission approved Mr. Bushala's plans so he should be able to do with his own property whatever he desires.
"One neighbor, however, requested that the commission postpone deciding on the plan until he could discuss it with Bushala." What??? Whether he desires to tear down and rebuild really should not be up for public opinion, the commission has authority, not his neighbors.
Congratulations on your new home, Mr. Bushala!
Tisdahl/Holmes yard signs were pretty common in the 5th Ward, yet no in-kind or committee to committee transfers are recorded in either Tisdahl's or Holmes filings. To what extent does one candidate helping other candidates constitute a political party?
Glad to see there was a factual rebuttal by the Chamber of Commerce to this opinion piece.
Manon Kavesky
Developers and business owners tell us that they can't follow LEED certification because it's too expensive, yet one of the only condo building success stories of the last year in Evanston at the moment is a LEED Gold certified building.
Hmm...
I think people need to spend less time fighting these standards and more time learning how to design and build buildings more efficiently, even if it costs more up front. Someday we'll look back and wonder why we allowed new buildings to be built using old inefficient methods at all.