I have an office in downtown Evanston. When I’m not traveling, I work there nearly every day. I walk downtown. I eat in its restaurants. I pass its storefronts. And, like many Evanstonians, I notice the empty ones.
Some have been vacant for months. Others for years. The former Panera at Church and Sherman has seemingly been unoccupied forever. There are other longtime vacancies, as well, across the street.
I want a thriving downtown with restaurants, shops, movie theaters and the other places that give a city life. I want a downtown where my employees enjoy coming to work and prospective employees can imagine themselves belonging. A downtown with outdoor events, energy and movement, where the sidewalks feel alive and storefronts invite you in…