Economic Development Project Funding

The City of Evanston is expected to receive approximately $45 million through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Evanston Covid Business Task Force is developing a set of recommendations on how the City could utilize some of those dollars on economic development initiatives.

Please review the proposed ideas below and select the top 5 that you feel are most important or beneficial for economic development. In addition, please share any other ideas (big, small, short-term, long-term) that you feel should be included on the list of recommendations. Thank you!

Question Title

* 1. Please select the top 5 areas of investment you think would have the biggest impact in Evanston's commercial districts.
*Please not this list is not final, it's a jumping off point.

Train viaducts cleaned & painted

Storefront modernization incentives ( beyond awnings and exterior improvements)

Mural Art program funding

Branded bike racks

New design standard & replacement of garbage & recycling cans

Utility box wrapping (example of one is at the corner of Church and Sherman)

Up lighting at base of trees in low light areas

Market/kiosk infrastructure for outdoor all season retail pop-ups

Evanston branding/identity plan

Blade sign program (50/50 match)

Sandwich board rebate program

Event funding (big scale events to help with tourism)

Wayfinding/signage program

Purchase of robust and sustainable (5 years +) plant materials for the city's raised and street level planting beds

Invest in infrastructure for outdoor dining

Parklets

Express CTA train in evenings

Purchase large-scale holiday decor to install in business districts/areas

Parking voucher program

Question Title

* 2. Please share any other projects or programs (short-term, long-term) that you would like the Task Force to consider for the list of recommendations.

Economic Development Project Funding

Question Title

* 1. Please select the top 5 areas of investment you think would have the biggest impact in Evanston's commercial districts. *Please not this list is not final, it's a jumping off point.

Question Title

* 2. Please share any other projects or programs (short-term, long-term) that you would like the Task Force to consider for the list of recommendations.

* 1. Please select the top 5 areas of investment you think would have the biggest impact in Evanston's commercial districts.
*Please not this list is not final, it's a jumping off point.