City Engineer Lara Biggs Monday evening shared with the City Council results of a recent feasibility study that recommended improvements for the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
The report’s recommendations included updates to the building’s HVAC and electrical systems as well as making the building ADA-accessible. Biggs said construction could start as early as next year, and the estimated cost of the project was $22,837,978.
The study was approved by City Council in March 2022 and the initial report was disclosed last month with the Evanston Preservation Commission.
On Monday Biggs said the study looked at four different technologies to replace the current HVAC system: air-source heat pump, air-source variable refrigerant flow, water-source heat pump and water-source variable refrigerant flow.
Aligning with CARP
Both air-source technologies do not include using a geothermal system, while the water-source technology does use a geothermal system.
These options, Biggs said, align with Evanston’s Climate and Resilience Plan (CARP), meaning they strive for an all-electric or entirely renewable source of heating and cooling.
“The challenge that you face when you do that [is] it becomes really difficult … to provide all of that heating and cooling with just one system when you go all-electric. It’s really helpful to bundle and have at least two systems that can help supplement each other when it gets to extreme temperatures,” she said, adding that the proposed options would also include an electric boiler backup.
For code requirements, the building would also need to have forced air ventilation.
As such, Biggs said the report recommends that the city use heat pumps instead of variable refrigerant flow, which requires more maintenance. The report also recommended using a geothermal system over air-source technology.
In order to support these changes, the building’s electrical systems would also need to be updated.
Kicking the can down the road?
The study looked at methods to increase energy efficiency, including LED lighting, new windows, roof insulation and wall insulation.
The study also looked at the cost of making upgrades to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For example, according to the report, the main ADA-accessible entrance ramp needs to be replaced due to structural issues.
Council Member Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward) said he supported Evanston’s “commitment to arts and culture. This in front of us right now is the opportunity to put those values into action, so I hope we can figure out a way to do this,” he said.
Still, Nieuwsma asked whether the Noyes Center “could get by for another year or two with Band Aids” so the city can “kick the can down the road for another year.”
Biggs said that while Evanston could delay renovations for a while, they would need to start within three to five years.
Members of the Evanston Preservation Commission in April also questioned some aspects of the study.
Biggs also said implementing ADA improvements while working on the HVAC system is “a little bit simpler” because a contractor is already at the Noyes Center.
‘Well-loved building’
Council Member Juan Geracaris (9th Ward) expressed his support for fixing the ADA-related issues in the building and suggested the city look at renovating spaces that aren’t fully utilized.
“It’s obvious that it’s a well-used, well-loved building, and that it’s being utilized, but if we’re going to make a substantial investment, it also would be smart to look at how to maximize the space and have more room for more people to grow the programs and have even more utilization of the building,” Nieuwsma said.
Biggs clarified that the report only includes cost for HVAC and energy modernization, meaning expanding the available space would be an additional cost.
Though Council Member Eleanor Revelle (7th Ward) expressed her support for the building and its role in the community, she also said she wanted to consider the costs of Noyes improvements along with proposed changes to the Police and Fire Department headquarters as well as the relocation of the Civic Center to downtown.
Comparing costs
“Somehow I want a giant spreadsheet that says here’s how much all these different things are going to cost us and here’s the geo bonds that we’re going to have to issue to manage to pay for all this,” she said. “I don’t want to make a decision about Noyes independently of these other really big decisions that are right there as well.”
Council Member Clare Kelly, who represents the 1st Ward where the building is located, said she felt the needed upgrades were “being politicized.”
“That’s what’s needed right now. When we send out a consultant to tell us all the different things they could do, it doesn’t mean we take them all. We have to now contemplate this big ticket, 22 million. What we need to contemplate is how very cherished and valuable the center is to our community and look at what’s really non-discretionary in terms of the upgrades that are needed,” she said.
The city lists more than two dozen resident artists and groups in the building, including Piven Theatre and Evanston Children’s Choir.
Several spoke in favor of the recommendations. Murphy Monroe, executive director of The Actors Gymnasium at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, spoke of the center’s accomplishments, sharing that national touring companies rehearsed in the space and that students from across the country come to Evanston for its professional circus training program.
Murphy also said that for the past eight years, The Actors Gymnasium has given scholarships to everyone who asked for financial aid.
“Evanston has gyms all over the place. We have multiple hockey rinks,” Murphy said. “One arts center in our entire city. Only one. It is a gem, and we must protect it.”
For photographer Yancey Hughes, the Noyes Center provides opportunities to reach out to residents. “We are there … bringing joy and creativity to the community. We would hope that with the proposed improvements that it will remain the place for artists to come and create and also welcome the community with our talents and creativity,” Hughes said.