06/27/02
BY BOB SEIDENBERG
Evanston Review
The Federal Highway Administration has granted “consulting party status”
to U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s office, as well as select residents of Ridge
Avenue, after Schakowsky insisted the neighbors should be able to participate
in discussions concerning a traffic light system planned for Ridge Avenue.
Schakowsky’s office and some residents complained last week after city
officials said they'd had a video conference with state and federal officials
to set guidelines for a public hearing on the controversial project.
Residents asked why they weren’t included in that meeting.
Residents have raised concern about why the public can’t be more involved
in planning the $1.86 million project, 80 percent of which will be paid
for with federal funds.
They object to the larger, mast-arm traffic lights mandated for use
under the state plan, arguing they will detract from the ambiance of the
surrounding Ridge Historic Preservation District and could result in the
loss of as many as 50 trees.
Schakowsky, a longtime resident of Ridge Avenue, pressed federal officials
to halt work on the project until Section 106 requirements have been met.
One Section 106 requirement is a public hearing.
“People in Evanston want to and need to be involved in decisions concerning
their city,” she said. “In every step of the process we will make sure
the stakeholders are at the table.”
Following the June 10th video conference, she wrote the FHA, asking
that someone from her office, Ridge Avenue residents, and a representative
of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission be granted “consulting party
status” so that they will be included in any future meetings.
“I am disappointed that my neighbors and I were not appropriately included
in the decision-making process up to this point, in violation of the spirit,
if not the letter of the law,” her letter stated. “But fortunately, it
is not too late to develop a meaningful plan that will preserve the beauty
and historic integrity of our city and improve the efficiency of our streets.”
Illinois Department of Transportation officials have acknowledged that
the public notice statutes were not adhered to on the project; and that
a public hearing will have to be held.
Evanston Public Works Director David Jennings told the City Council
last week that his staff will prepare a case study before the hearing that
will summarize various positions on the issue.
Members of the city’s Preservation Commission, a citizen group, also
questioned why they weren’t consulted.
The FHA granted Schakowsky’s request to include her office, a representative
from the local Historic Preservation Commission, and several Ridge Avenue
residents, including Chat and Gerald Gordon who first raised concerns about
the plan.
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