Presenters are lined up for the public presentation on options for the Harley Clarke mansion, scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 18 in the Parasol Room at the Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
The five options considered by the mayoral-appointed Harley Clarke Mansion Committee are 1) having the City retain the building and rehab it, presented by the Sheila Sullivan for the Southeast Evanston Association; selling the property for commercial use, such as a boutique hotel, developer and Evanston resident Peter Greene; selling the property for development consistent with the City’s R-1 zoning, Dave Mazurek of Convexity Properties; and gifting the building to an entity that would maintain it for public use, Patrick Donnelly of the now-being-formed Harley Clarke Foundation.
At the May 18 presentation, each speaker will have about 10 minutes to speak in support of that option. Later discussion could center on the objections to that option and the obstacles to implementing it.
Only one option, demolishing the building to create additional park space, has no one to speak for it, and there will be a poster explaining the benefits of that option.
Those who attend the public presentation will be asked to fill out a survey ranking their preferences for the options. The survey will also be available on the City’s website, cityofevanston.org.