Economic Development Committee Meeting 10-28-2026

The City of Evanston Economic Development Committee met on October 28, 2026. The main spending discussion concerned remaining ARPA funds for Evanston Thrives projects, which staff said must be committed by December 31, 2026 and used within previously identified categories. After discussing bridge lighting, Callan Plaza, design work, and possible small-business support, the committee approved a motion for Option C and directed the remaining $197,600 to Evanston Thrives design packets: $94,100 for Ashland Arts and $104,400 for City Center. The discussion included concerns about project costs, procurement timelines, and completing required bidding and approvals; expenditures still require City Council authorization. Public commenters urged direct assistance for existing small businesses, but no small-business grant allocation was approved at this meeting.

The committee also voted to support a Class C property-tax incentive for Niehoff’s proposed project at 921 Pitner, subject to later City Council consideration and environmental remediation requirements. The company described plans for about $5 million in improvements to convert the property into an engineering and R&D facility, consolidate roughly 30 skilled employees, and hire 10 additional engineers and researchers. Separately, members discussed a proposed pop-up food license, potentially with a fee around $100, and asked staff to examine applications in vacant storefronts and related zoning requirements; this was not a final policy decision or procurement action. The committee also received updates on legacy-business promotions and Parks and Recreation café operations, including opportunities to sell products from Evanston businesses.