2006 Village Center redevelOPMENT research

"Strong Dislike of Excessively Tall and/or Modern Buildings • When they begin to think about redevelopment of the Village Center, many residents are quick to remark that they are strongly opposed to the building of tall tower structures such as exist in Evanston.  • They are also vocal about their dislike of redevelopment that brings “modern” architecture (e.g., buildings with walls that are mostly glass).  The Optima Center on Central Avenue is frequently criticized in this respect."

For example, a desire to maintain a “village feeling” in the Village Center is likely to be long term – this could last for decades. This has implications both for architectural style and building height that are long term. 

This is not to say that over time, if a few five-story buildings are constructed in the Village Center, that there would not be subsequent acceptance of a six- or seven-story building. Nonetheless, at a certain point, such heights are inconsistent with the nature of a village, thus the general lack of acceptance of six- or seven-story buildings in the Village Center observed in this report is likely to hold true for many years. 

 Lake Forest is also frequently mentioned as a community that has a vibrant downtown area. It is often cited as an area that has maintained a village feel with a variety of traditional architecture and attractive, village-like streetscaping 

 Desire for Terracing of Building Back from Green Bay Road • Most feel that terracing the building would make a taller building more acceptable on the Ford site.  Some also suggest terracing next to existing structures to ease the abrupt transition to five stories. 

Strong Interest in Redevelopment of the Chase Bank Site.

Virtually everyone would like to see the Chase Bank site redeveloped for mixed use. The current building is almost universally disliked – many would be very glad to see it replaced by a building with more traditional architecture. 

 Some existing buildings are appealing, particularly the tudor-style building on the southeast corner of Wilmette and Central Avenues, the building in which Kelly’s Appliance Store is located, and the building in which De Giulio’s is located. 

Strong Dislike of Excessively Tall and/or Modern Buildings 

When they begin to think about redevelopment of the Village Center, many residents are quick to remark that they are strongly opposed to the building of tall tower structures such as exist in Evanston.  

They are also vocal about their dislike of redevelopment that brings “modern” architecture (e.g., buildings with walls that are mostly glass).  The Optima Center on Central Avenue is frequently criticized in this respect. 

Residents are clearly sensitive to the height and architectural style of buildings in the downtown.  

It is conceivable, however, that objections to a four story building in the vicinity of the intersection of Wilmette and Central Avenues is heavily influenced by the fact that Optima Center is four stories and is almost universally disliked. Thus, four stories in this area may be emotionally connected to the disliked modern architecture of that building. 

 Virtually everyone would like to see the Chase Bank site redeveloped for mixed use. 

The current building is almost universally disliked – many would be very glad to see it replaced by a building with more traditional architecture.  

[The Chase Bank is] like a big, concrete rock. ... It’s terrible. [The Chase Bank building is] very institutional looking. They have that horrible HVAC stuff up on top. Knock it down! 

The Chase Bank building is the biggest eyesore in the Village area. I’d like to see them tear that down and build something better. Love it (the idea of tearing down the Chase Bank building). ... That’s just the most wonderful thing 

 Most would like to see new construction in the Village Center present a variety of traditional facades 

Strong Dislike of Excessively Tall and/or Modern Buildings 

When they begin to think about redevelopment of the Village Center, many residents are quick to remark that they are strongly opposed to the building of tall tower structures such as exist in Evanston. 

 We don’t want to see what happened to downtown Evanston. 

My concern is what Evanston is doing. I really feel like Evanston is selling their soul. ... Huge condo buildings ... 15, 20 stories. I wouldn’t want to go Evanston [heights], by any stretch. 

They are also vocal about their dislike of redevelopment that brings “modern” architecture (e.g., buildings with walls that are mostly glass). The Optima Center on Central Avenue is frequently criticized in this respect.  I really fear ... anything that’s built that has a lot of glass in it, like that Optima building. 

I’m happy with it [the way it is]. ... I would not like to see it become more modern. ... The Optima building ... is a little bit [too] modern. That [Optima] was a mistake. That Optima building! (Group agreement the Optima building is out of place in Wilmette.)