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Chicago

Developer adds more affordable housing to Evanston proposal

Some community members oppose size, height of project in Chicago suburb

Horizon Realty Group's Jeffrey Michael and a rendering of The Legacy at 1621-31 Chicago Avenue (Jeffrey Michael, Pappageorge Haymes)
Horizon Realty Group's Jeffrey Michael and a rendering of The Legacy at 1621-31 Chicago Avenue (Jeffrey Michael, Pappageorge Haymes)

Horizon Realty Group is adding more affordable units to a mixed-use development in the Chicago auburn of Evanston, aiming to gain approval from the city council.

Horizon envisions an 18-story, 180-unit mixed-use building called The Legacy at 1621-31 Chicago Avenue that some local residents say is too big for the neighborhood, according to local outlet the Evanston RoundTable. The city council previously rejected a plan from Horizon for a 17-story building on the same site after a three-year effort for approval.

Evanston’s downtown needs more development to support local businesses, said Horizon Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Michael, according to the RoundTable. The development would generate $1.5 million in revenue and would include 18 affordable units, an increase of about 20 percent to the downtown’s existing supply, he said.

“The simple fact is Evanston needs more residents to support the business district,” he said. “And that’s what The Legacy is going to bring – more than 300 new residents living in the heart of Evanston’s business and shopping district , supporting the local economy every day.”

Some community members have voiced opposition to the project, citing the building’s imposing size and local zoning laws that would prohibit it, according to a local condo owner.

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While the affordable housing aspect of the development “looks pretty strong,” according to Sue Loellbach, advocacy manager for Connections for the Homeless, she pushed for units to be marked down as much as possible.

“I would love to see the affordability of those affordable units be as deep as possible,” she said.

Horizon must file an application for a planned development which would initiate a public hearing process through several committees, the Round Table reported. The city council would then vote on final approval.

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[RoundTable] — Harrison Connery

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