Evanston City Council Votes "No" on Harley Clarke Mansion Proposal

On July 23, the Evanston City Council voted not to accept the proposal submitted by Tawani Enterprises for the development of the Harley Clarke Mansion site as a boutique hotel and parking garage.  The vote against the proposal was 6-3 after a discussion by Council members of the history and genesis of the proposal and opposition by members of the community to the plan as presented.

Council voted to further instruct the City Manager to revisit the status of the mansion and park and look at alternatives for the property. He was further directed to develop a a plan for seeking public input and ideas on possible uses for the 86-year-old building and surrounding property.  This motion was approved unanimously by Council. 

Many residents spoke against the plan as submitted by Tawani, and Mayor Ellizabeth Tisdahl stated that the plan, as submitted, was not what she had requested or envisioned for the property.  Council members agreed that public parkland should not be sold, while recognizing that the mansion requires substantial maintenance work. 

Learn more about the City's actions at http://www.cityofevanston.org/arts-culture/harley-clark-mansion/

NoParkSale (www.noparksale.org) also has a wealth of information on the project.

Posts at this site provide background and more descriptive information as to the size of the park, mansion and the parcel generally as well as the Tawani Plan.  It also references City plans for parks and open space and master plans for the city.