ED Work Plan

1. Economic Development Work Plan has evolved as a
result of feedback from local business community,
residents, ED committee, and City Council
2012
The five targeted industries were:
1. Technology-Based Businesses
2. Health Care and Wellness
Industries
3. Baby Boomer Markets
4. Arts and Entertainment Venues
5. Water Industries
2013
The five focus areas are:
1. Entrepreneurship Development &
Growth Oriented Startups
2. Arts & Entertainment
3. Retail Attraction and Retention
4. Workforce Development
Partnerships
5. Quality of Place

2. • Quality of Place – recognize the qualities within Evanston that make it a
distinctive, attractive and compelling place to live, to visit and to start a business
that differentiate it from other Chicago suburbs and Chicago itself. (i.e. Lakefront,
Transit, Arts, Architecture , Neighborhoods, Restaurants, Authentic Downtown, etc. )
• Entrepreneurship Development and Growth Oriented Startups – work with
private sector partners to identify programming to increase successful
entrepreneurship in Evanston and pursue retention and attraction of growth
potential startups.
• Arts & Entertainment – support existing and identify new to improve Evanston’s
stature as a cultural and entertainment destination for residents and tourists
driving job creation, amusement and liquor tax revenues , and appealing to
existing and prospect employers.
• Retail – expand the retail sales tax base and diversify commercial activities
throughout Evanston in an era of increased online sales activity and shrinking store
footprints
• Workforce Development Partnerships – partner with existing network of
workforce development non-profits to identify opportunities to support programs
aimed at comprehensive training in an array of fields including entrepreneurship
and self-employment education for youth and career changers
Focus Area Summary

4. Central Street
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Streetscape improvements on Central Street sidewalks.
• Support leasing of new retail and restaurant space east of
Metra tracks at Central Station Apartment development.

5. Chicago Avenue/Dempster Street
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Development & Support of food-related/culinary businesses
in the area.
• Support Leasing of vacant retail spaces west of the CTA and
Metra Tracks.
• Coordination of Visitors and shoppers to the area.

6. Chicago Avenue/Main Street
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Designation of Tax Increment
Financing (TIF) District for this area
and Adoption of Implementation
Plan.
• Coordination of Neighborhood and
Business Advisory Panel for
Main/Chicago TIF District.
• Implementation of Infrastructure
Projects in the Main/Chicago TIF
District.
• Development of an energy-
efficient/green building plan for
older buildings.

7. Howard Street
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Redevelopment of City-Owned Properties on Howard Street.
• Support for the Howard Street Business Association.
• Convene 2013 Food Truck Festival.

8. Southwest
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Attract complementary tenants
to develop on large tracts of
undeveloped land in these
districts
• Develop a plan for utilization of
the former Evanston Recycling
Center.
• Coordinate workforce
development opportunities to
benefit targeted population.

9. West Side
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Facilitate creation of a West Side Merchant
Group (incorporating businesses based at Church &
Dodge, Dr. Hill, Green Bay & Emerson, and
Emerson/Dodge/Dewey.)
• Pursue redevelopment of key properties
along Church Street between Dewey and
Brown.
• Coordinate workforce development
opportunities to benefit targeted
population.
• Support expansion of growth businesses in
Dr. Hill district
• Proactively seek out storefront
improvement opportunities.

10. West End
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Support innovation and
modernization of industrial
uses within district.
• Directional Signage for West
End District
• Pursue options to leverage TIF
and/or economic development
fund to support workforce
development opportunities

11. West Village
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Pursue retail tenants for
Evanston Plaza in partnership
with Bonnie Investment.
• Support revitalization of
Florence Avenue and Greenleaf
business district.
• Create plan for the Northwest
corner of Dempster Street and
Dodge Avenue

12. Noyes / Foster
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Capital investment in Noyes Cultural Arts Center.
• Development of business district organization.

13. Downtown
2013 Objectives and Projects
• Coordinate with Downtown Evanston on retention efforts
• Leasing of major vacancies 1,500 square feet or greater
• Redevelopment of major land vacancies
• Implementation of NEA Grant and EvanstArts Report
• Attraction and retention of growth oriented companies for
existing and new office space