Community leaders demand transparency in Harley Clark decision

During a recent Evanston City Council meeting, residents voiced strong opinions on two significant topics: the proposed budget for the Envision Evanston plan and the future of the Harley Clark building.

One resident, a long-time planning and real estate consultant, criticized the Council's consideration of allocating $60,000 for two additional public hearings involving HDR, calling the amount \"highway robbery.\" He urged the Council to utilize the existing planning department staff for any necessary meetings, emphasizing that such a high expenditure for public hearings was unprecedented in his experience.

In a separate discussion, Patrick Donnelly, representing the Evanston Lake House and Gardens, expressed concerns regarding the decision-making process surrounding the Harley Clark building. He highlighted the importance of including input from all RFP (Request for Proposal) submitters and requested an opportunity to present their community use plan to the Council. Donnelly noted the significance of Harley Clark as the only city-owned building on the lakefront and stressed the need for a proposal that benefits the community and maintains accessibility for local residents.

The meeting concluded with a call for further public engagement and transparency in the decision-making processes affecting Evanston's community assets.