For the last 20 years, the people living on opposite sides of this particular stretch of Howard Street haven’t had much reason to meddle in each other’s affairs. Southwest Evanston and West Rogers Park–nearly identical patchworks of post-World War II brick bungalows–are, after all, in different municipalities.
“Our city has become so desperate for tax dollars that they have caved in to the demands of these developers and are shoving this thing down our throats,” says Jim Sheedy, who lives in Evanston, half a block away from the proposed mall. “It’s worse for Chicago; they’ll get the traffic without any tax benefits.”
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At issue is a site in the far southwest corner of Evanston that was once one of Bell & Howell’s leading research facilities. “For the last few years there have been rumors about proposed projects,” says Aiello. “But there was nothing specific.”
“We didn’t have a lot of leverage,” says Evanston alderman Ann Rainey, in whose ward the project would be. “It was clear that we would do just about anything to get this development. And they let us know that if they didn’t get what they wanted, they were going to Skokie.”
On November 24, the city held a meeting between the developers and residents of southwest Evanston–a session that raised more questions than it answered. The residents wondered how officials could be so confident the mall would succeed. True, there are no grocery stores in the immediate area. But the closest one, at Howard and Western, is only about ten blocks away. And there are four other shopping centers within a few miles. What would happen if the mall failed? Who would pay off the debt?
“I heard all of these Evanston officials throwing in the towel, telling people that the project couldn’t be stopped, and I said to myself, ‘The hell with that,’” says Stone. “You liberals like to make fun of Chicago aldermen. But I tell you this, when it comes to local issues, we deliver for our people.”
The sale of liquor has always been a hot issue in Evanston, birthplace of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. To build the mall, the city council would have to amend the city’s stringent liquor code, which limits package stores to the central business district.
