Several Design Evanston members were present at Bookends & Beginnings (co-hosts of the event) for a presentation by residential architects Stuart Cohen and Julie Hacker about their new book, First Additions: Strategies for Adding On, which presents theoretical essays about making additions followed by a portfolio of their house additions.

Twenty four Design Evanston professional members and affiliates took a hard-hat tour led by owner Steven Rogin of the in-progress adaptive re-use of the Varsity Theater building in downtown Evanston. The building will house 10,000 square feet of retail space (some in Bookman’s Alley), 33 apartments, and 2 live/work spaces.

Seven Design Evanston professional members were in attendance at architect/author Ryan Chester’s presentation of Chicago Reflected a unique and playful hand-drawn exploration of the Chicago River’s Landscape, held at Bookends & Beginnings, co-hosts of the event.

As part of the City’s Envision Evanston 2045 initiative, 17 Design Evanston professional members and affiliates met at Robert Crown Community Center with HDR, Inc., the consulting firm facilitating the creation of the City of Evanston’s new comprehensive plan and zoning code to share ideas and contribute thoughts. DE Board VP, David Galloway, is in continued conversation with City Planner Liz Williams and HDR on this topic.

The new board re-elected Laura Saviano as president and Dave Galloway as vice president. Robert Natke was elected treasurer,
Paula Bodnar Schmitt communications director, Elliott Dudnik,
and Ariel Goldfarb members at large.

DEs annual meeting was held at the Firehouse Grill. Key results of the recent membership survey were discussed. A new board was elected comprised of Laura Saviano, Dave Galloway, Elliot Dudnik, Rob Natke, Paula Bodnar Schmitt and Ariel Goldfarb.

DE members Dave Galloway, Tom Hofmaier and Jack Weiss spoke in support of the proposal to create a Community Design Commission at the city’s Planning & Development Committee. DE had been collaborating on the effort for nearly a year. P&D tabled the proposal, pending the development of the new Comprehensive Plan.

The Design Evanston board met with councilmember Clare Kelly to review her submission “to create the Community Design Commission to replace DAPR” prior to being drafted as a formal ordinance.

Four DE board members met with City Manager Luke to review Design Evanston’s 21-point “Design Issues” list and discuss priorities for collaboration.

DE board members Dave Galloway and Jack Weiss met with Mayor Daniel Biss to review Design Evanston’s 21-point “Design Issues” list and discuss priorities for collaboration.

DE board members Dave Galloway and Jack Weiss met with Elizabeth Williams, City of Evanston Planning Manager, and Cade Sterling, Planner, to review DEs “Topics of Discussion” and discuss plans for the Urban Design Commission. Subsequent zoom sessions followed with Council Member Clare Kelly.

Dave Galloway, Design Evanston, and Richard Miller, Working Group, presented the Conceptual Design Report for the Lincoln Street replacement bridge to City of Evanston representatives in preparation for the application for funding by IDOT.

The DE Board met with Paul Zalmezak, Evanston’s Economic Development Manager, and Clare Kelly, 1st Ward Council Member, to discuss how DE can advocate for an Urban Design Commission. Conversations continue.

10 DE professional members and others met with Richard Miller director of the Working Group for Better Bridges and Design Evanston team leader, Dave Galloway, to develop design concepts for the replacement bridge on Lincoln Street.

Twenty DE professional members met at the historic lobby to tour the Tribune Tower Residences designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz. Jeannie Martini, sales director and Jeff Zdenahlic, project manager, led the group through exciting and unforgettable amenity spaces and model units.

Nineteen DE professional members met via zoom to conduct a Project Review of the Varsity Theater/Bookman’s Alley redevelopment proposal.

Twelve DE professional members met via zoom to conduct a Project Review of the 1740 Orrington project – a new science and research building on the old Burger King site.

Nine DE members and guests travelled to Rockford IL to tour the Anderson Japanese Gardens and Frank Lloyd Wright Laurent House.

Seven DE professional members met with the developer and architects to conduct a project review of their proposed adaptive reuse project at 1101 Church Street. The project was enthusiastically endorsed and report submitted to the city.

Seven authors of “Evanston’s Design Heritage” discussed the book in a 1-hour zoom presentation for AIA Chicago members.

The seven authors of “Evanston’s Design Heritage” discussed the book in a 1-hour zoom presentation for Open House Chicago. During the week-long OHC event viewers also were able to take a guided tour of sites featured in our book: “Evanston: 150 Years 150 Places”.

Ten DE professional members met with Cook County Housing Authority and architects with Pappageorge Haymes to conduct a project review of their proposed public housing at 1900 Sherman Avenue.

18 Design Evanston members and guests traveled to Beverly Shores, Indiana for a tour of the 1933 Century of Progress homes hosted by Indiana Landmarks.

Six DE members joined Andy Spatz on a fun bike ride to view many of his Evanston projects. Lively discussion followed with lunch at Ovo Frito on Maple Avenue.

Twenty DE professional members met to conduct a charette to consider future development of the Library Parking Lot at 1714-1720 Chicago Avenue. Historical, landscape, zoning and planning materials were presented to set the stage for three independent break-out sessions. Conclusions will be presented to the City Council and general public.

Nine DE professional members met with met with Vermillion Development and Solomon Cordwell Buenz team members to review their revised proposal for 601 Davis Street.

Ten DE professional members met with Merion team members to review their proposal for The Legacy at 1621-31 Chicago Avenue.

Eighteen Evanston sites were open during the 4th annual Open House Chicago event co-hosted by Design Evanston. With a total of 16,500 site visits, Evanston placed third among all the Chicago neighborhoods.

There was a great turnout as 40 DE members and friends joined Dick Lanyon and Gary Langwell on a tour of two unique and seldom seen buildings on Lake Street: the Evanston Pumping Station and the Evanston Masonic Temple.