(CM | 1.5) The City of Evanston has been actively improving transportation and mobility through several initiatives. Referred to as the City’s “comfortable corridors,” Evanston has made significant strides in advancing accommodation of people using all modes of transportation. In 2018, the City completed a nearly two-mile project on Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road, connecting the heart of Evanston’s CBD, Northwestern University, and a connection to the Village of Wilmette. The project was a comprehensive overhaul of the corridor and included: roadway resurfacing and reconstruction; water main, storm sewer, and drainage structures; intersection and signal improvements; installation of separated bike lanes; and the addition of bus boarding platforms to accommodate high frequency bus transit. Join us on a guided bike tour and discussion to learn about the project’s planning and implementation phases, and discover how the City’s commitment to green and complete streets helps integrate infrastructure, policies, and programs in this Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community.

(CM | 1.5) Redevelopment on the Municipal Frontier Revisited. During the 2011 APA-IL conference in Evanston, city staff outlined ambitious plans for redevelopment on Howard Street during a mobile workshop that included dining destination-oriented retail and dining opportunities, and even a theater. Eight years later the work continues, but the results have included the addition of new restaurants, a planned event space, a cidery, and a theater designed by Ross Barney Architects. Join this mobile workshop to learn more about Evanston/Chicago relationships during redevelopment of this corridor, the use of tools like tax increment financing and special service area districts, visit and meet with business owners to hear about the challenges of redevelopment on the "municipal frontier".

(CM | 1.25) One way to increase social equity throughout a region is to increase the supply of affordable housing available to all areas. This includes within suburbs, not just big cities. Chicago’s northern suburbs include some of most expensive housing in Illinois. The session covers affordable housing facts and myths to help comply with AHPAA, the unique demands of affordable housing in the suburbs, a discussion of supportive housing models, and a visit to an SRO in Evanston, affordable housing in Highland Park and/or to new supportive housing developments in Glenview and/or Arlington Heights.

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(CM | 2.25) In late 2016, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a unique partnership among the City of Chicago, the Chicago Public Library, and the Chicago Housing Authority to develop new mixed library-affordable housing projects with award-winning architects. Through a design competition and a developer procurement process, Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group worked with John Ronan Architects and Perkins + Will to design, develop and construct the new Independence and Northtown library and senior housing complexes. Join representatives from Evergreen, John Ronan Architects, Perkins + Will, and the Chicago Housing Authority to learn how these complex projects were presented to the community, rezoned, financed, designed and constructed. In this mobile workshop, participants will visit the Northtown Library and Apartments and then visit the Independence Library and Apartments.

(CM | 2.5) This mobile workshop will highlight the importance of planning for better hospitality and transition of Middle Eastern youth immigrants coming to the United States. We will examine the role of non-governmental organizations in welcoming and supporting these communities. The workshop will explain the planning approaches needed for better inclusion, involvement, and support of the immigrant community in the Devon Avenue neighborhoods (Ridge, Edgewater, and Roger's Park) with a concentration on Middle Eastern youth entrepreneurship opportunities and planning policies.

(CM | 2.5) Six years ago Highland Park worked with The Lakota Group to complete a new Downtown Master Plan that identified the need to increase the density of both the CBD as well as the surrounding residential neighborhoods. In 2015 the City significantly up-zoned the density and height of these districts and added more flexibility around mixed-use properties. In the last 5 years Highland Park has experienced nearly 20 infill redevelopment projects and tens of millions of dollars in new real estate in primarily multi-family and mixed-use developments. Take a trip to downtown Highland Park and see how the City is working to stitch neighborhoods together through new pedestrian and bicycling improvements, new placemaking and streetscapes, and build dozens of new affordable housing units, working with private partners, but not using TIF or other public financing tools.

(CM | 1.5) The Forest Preserves of Cook County have started implementing the Gateway Master Plan for Skokie Lagoons. This tour encompasses a hike with speakers that will talk about the power of partnership for implementing a new boathouse, nature plan area, and birding tour. A primary goal of the plan is to make stronger connections to neighboring municipalities, existing community groups, and leverage partnerships for a more active Forest Preserve.

(CM | 1.25) As our urban centers become denser, the need for public places is more apparent. What makes a successful place? Located just steps away from the Orrington Hotel is Fountain Square Plaza, Evanston’s newest public place. Last year marks the fourth time in the past 142 years that Fountain Square has been totally redesigned. Throughout the plaza’s evolution, it has consistently been a place of community gathering. Due to failing fountain equipment and available funding through tax increment financing (TIF), City Council earmarked funds for a redesigned public space and turned to the community for inspiration. The outcome of this robust public outreach program is a contemporary design that reflects Evanston’s needs for a flexible set of outdoor spaces. Each of the speakers for this workshop played a role in making Fountain Square a reality and will bring their perspective about how this place was conceived, funded, designed, implemented and programmed.

(CM | 1.75) This session is the second portion of CNU Illinois' Missing Middle Program (the first is a session from 1-2 pm, Friday, Sept. 27 at APAIL19). The City of Evanston has been hard at work enabling its “missing middle” housing options by enabling coach homes and other accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within its housing stock. Led by the City’s Grants Administrator Sarah Flax, this walking tour will take conference attendees through its alleys and back lots to explore its rich collection of coach homes. This tour will also address strategies that the City has explored to encourage housing affordability through the preservation and new construction of ADUs. Afterwards, be sure to join the CNU Happy Hour at Firehouse Grill (750 Chicago Ave, Evanston)!! The mobile workshop will wrap up close by, making it convenient for mobile workshop participants to join CNU's festivities.