HERE'S HOW WE SEE IT...

The Unity Church property at 3434 Central Street is under consideration for redevelopment. It's not an easy location. There are existing traffic constraints and neighborhood considerations to take into account. The Kensington School team has addressed all site circulation to the satisfaction of IDOT and includes a new private drive and utility easement solely for the neighboring Co-op property. With these concerns addressed and Public Benefits proposed, residents need to speak up and make sure the City Council approves the request.

SO WHAT, WHY DO I CARE? I DON'T HAVE LITTLE KIDS...

If you pay rent or property taxes then you should care. This redevelopment is the kind of thing Evanston needs right now. This low-impact use will produce $300,000-$365,000 in annual property taxes according to a recent professional estimate (increased from the previous $200,000 conservative estimate)...that's more property taxes than the 605 Davis 29-story residential tower will pay when it opens with 600 new residents. The tax base must increase somewhere every year. Saying YES to redevelopment like Kensington School is fiscally smart.

WHAT'S NEXT IF WE SAY NO TO KENSINGTON...

A modest 2-story daycare building is far less intense than a medium-density multifamily residential development. Envision Evanston is now approved and calls for multifamily residential at the property. The previously drafted new zoning code states the property will be allowed unlimited density up to 50 feet in building height. When incorporating lot coverage, this means 120 apartment units will fit on the property in one or more 5-story buildings. This could be achieved with 12 individual subdivided lots that each have a 10-unit apartment building constructed, or with one large 5-story apartment building. With Envision Evanston approved, change is coming no matter what. 

THERE'S A BUSY INTERSECTION NEARBY THAT ISN'T SAFE...

The nearby intersection is not ideal. A detailed traffic study was conducted that concluded Kensington School's traffic is minimal and will not greatly impact the intersection. The intersection is under IDOT jurisdiction, and IDOT has improvements planned for the intersection. Even so, the Kensington team proposes Public Benefits to pay for signal re-timing both immediately and again after Kensington's construction.

I HEARD THIS WASN'T APPROVED A FEW YEARS AGO. WHY NOW?

Important changes have been made including:

• Vehicles can only go R in and R out on Gross Point Road in compliance with IDOT requirements.
• Vehicles can only go L in and R out on Central Street to discourage cut-throughs to the residential streets heading west on Central.
• Public Benefits include monetary funding for a third-party traffic signal re-timing to be conducted twice for the Crawford/Gross Point/Central intersection and connected Harrison intersection - once immediately to improve the current intersection timing, and then again after Kensington School is operational to ensure the intersections function to the best of their abilities.

The current proposal, the City of Evanston staff memo, and all details are available here in the City of Evanston Land Use Commission packet from January 14, 2026 where the request was recommended for approval (see video here).

Show your support for this low-intensity proposal that mirrors the character of the neighborhood.

Make sure Councilmember Suffredin and the entire City Council know the community supports this redevelopment. Add your signature to show your support to approve Kensington School!