There are two line items in Evanston’s proposed FY2026 Budget which are important to achieving our goal of a safer Main Street:

$100,000 for Phase I funding for initial community engagement and design analysis for rebuilding Main St between Hartrey and Ridge, plus a general/miscellaneous fund of $450,000 for construction of traffic calming that can be used citywide.

Despite these being smaller expenditures in a much bigger budget, there are many competing priorities and a desire to cut back on spending. It is critical to show significant community support behind these two items being kept in the budget and not scaled back or delayed.

Over the next few weeks, Councilmembers are looking for feedback on the budget at Ward Meetings. Main St runs through Wards 2, 3, 4, and 9, so if residents at all three upcoming meetings vocalize support, all Councilmembers will hear the message! All you have to do is show up and say you support funding bike and pedestrian improvements on Main St

Joint Ward Meeting (3rd/8th/9th) - October 29, 6 p.m., Prieto Community Center, 430 Asbury Ave.

Joint Ward Meeting (2nd/5th/6th) - November 4, 6:30 p.m., Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.

Joint Ward Meeting (1st/4th/7th) - November 6, 6 p.m., Virtual (https://meet.google.com/tnb-kqbr-ywx)
 

If you cannot attend, please considering emailing the councilmembers your support for funding Main St improvements: kharris@cityofevanston.org, jnieuwsma@cityofevanston.org, jgeracaris@cityofevanston.org, siles@cityofevanston.org

Thank you for your time and support!