Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: City

The return of a National-Louis University campus to Evanston was delayed on Monday after aldermen voted to postpone action on the proposal.

The university has been under contract to purchase a vacant office building at 1620 Central St. and convert it into a dormitory for their Professional Assistant Center for Education. The PACE program prepares young adults with disabilities for independent living by providing educational and training services.

In July 2006, the school's Evanston campus, which had been open for 76 years, was relocated to 5202 Old Orchard Rd. in Skokie. After months of negotiations and planning, the Central Street proposal finally went up for action at Monday's City Council meeting. The potential vote drew PACE alumni, faculty members and future neighbors.

William Roberts, Vice President of Facilities and Operations for National-Louis University, opened with an update on the site plan. Responding to past concerns of nearby residents, he said that the amended proposal addressed issues with privacy and landscaping.

A group of former PACE students also addressed the City Council. Margie Collins, a 1990 PACE graduate and Evanston resident, told the Council that Evanston is an ideal place for the program. "PACE got me started in my independent life here in Evanston," Collins said. "It would be great for new students."

Harry Ross, of the 700 block of Central St., said that as a neighbor of PACE he grew to love the program and its students. "We in Evanston all benefit from excellent educational programs and the graduates who stick around," Ross said.

Praise of the project came to a halt as Ald. Ann Rainey (8th) called the proposal another "nail in the coffin" for Evanston taxpayers, and maintained that the university, a non-profit organization not liable for property taxes, could afford to pay those taxes. "All residents of this city should give back in kind as much as they take from the community," she said.

Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (2nd) made a motion to postpone the vote, saying that although he supports the school's request, he believes that more discussions need to take place. He said that in addition to dealing with PACE, the council needs to develop a better policy for dealing with the city's non-profits.

The motion carried, much to the dismay of PACE supporters, who quickly left the meeting after the decision was made.

Jeanne Hardig, vice president of marketing and communications for National-Louis University, said that PACE was part of a bigger picture for the City Council. "The larger issue is that not-for-profits are coming in and not paying property tax," she said. "It's an important issue. The city is obviously realizing that it needs a policy."

Hardig said that despite the decision, the school remains optimistic about the site. "We have been very pleased with the support of many of the aldermen, but we are disappointed by tonight's decision," she said. "We remain hopeful that they will vote yes in two weeks."

amandaluevano2007@u.northwestern.edu

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