Light House Landing RFP-City Council Meeting Monday Sept. 21

Come to City Council Meeting Monday, Sept. 21, 7 pm. Civic Center

We just learned that the City Council will make a MAJOR DECISION regarding the direction of next steps for Harley Clarke (Evanston Art Center)
What City Council decides on as parameters for the creation of a Request for Proposal on Monday may determine the future of the Lighthouse Landing Park.Speak for PUBLIC use, control and operation.
Show unity by wearing something blue.
City Manager Bobkiewicz will present a report to the City Council asking their approval to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the future use of the building and parkland around it and to determine what parameters should be in the RFP.
The parameters the Council is being asked to decide are currently listed as:
1.      What portion of the property should be included in the RFP: buildings only, (Mansion & Coach house) or portions of surrounding land?
2. Should the portion decided in #1 be sold or long term leased?
3. Should the new owner/lessee/user be a for-profit commercial/private entity or a not-for-profit entity operating in the public interest?
4. How should the short term repairs to the coach house be handled?
It is important for the community to speak to the City Council & remind them of some important points:
1.      It is vital that everyone show up and to send the message that the citizens of Evanston, once again, demand that the building and parkland remain under public control and operated for use of the entire community as an educational, environmental, recreational and cultural center with programs that appeal to and are accessible to the entire Evanston community. It must NOT be operated for the commercial benefit of a private-for profit entity.
2.      There should be no change in the Open Space zoning of this property
3.      The citizens of Evanston spoke loud and clear in summer 2013 to keep the property under public control. The city wide vote conducted by the Harley Clarke Citizen Committee in spring 2015 showed that nearly 80% of residents want the property to remain public or the building deconstructed for parkland.
4.       There are 1000 yard signs in all wards of Evanston declaring “Don’t Privatize our Parkland”. The number of yard signs is continuing to grow!
Please be sure your signs are up and visible.
•       Need a yard sign? Email us at info@noparksale.org
•       Check the latest news at www.noparksale.org
Thank you for your continued support of our Open Spaces & Parks –
Your Friends at NoParkSale.org