The Evanston City Council meeting on Aug. 26 covered a range of topics, including beach access, updates to public spaces and a new honorary street sign.
In a unanimous vote, families in the 60203 zip code— also known as “Skevanston”— will be allowed into Evanston beaches for free starting in the 2025 season.
“I think now is the time to realize: let’s end all of this. Let’s stop printing little plastic cards,” said Council Member Devon Reid. “Let’s make our beaches free for everyone. Let’s use them as an economic engine to drive people to our region.”
Council Member Tom Suffredin agreed and added that allowing people from Skevanston access to beaches can help keep the community connected.
“One of the great things about Evanston is you start with your elementary school community, and then it expands when you go to middle school and expands further when you go to [ETHS],” said Suffredin. “Creating an incongruity there doesn’t seem to make sense.”
Another topic of discussion was Fountain Square. The council approved a $65,000 contract with Teska Associates to landscape the Square’s South Plaza. Planning surrounding the next steps for the North Plaza was placed on hold until the Sep. 9 meeting.
Later discussed was the naming an honorary street sign after Dr. Edward A. Blumen. After a speech from the doctor the City Council voted unanimously in favor of an honorary street sign for Dr. Blumen. Blumen is a family medicine physician who has been working for fifty one years. He currently works for North Shore Endeavor Health. This vote will designate the portion of Maple Avenue between Church Street and Clark Street “Dr. Edward A. Blumen Way.”
“I am very humbled and very honored by this recognition,” said Blumen. “I thank Councilwoman Harris for nominating me, and I thank the patients that brought forth my name.”
After Blumen’s speech, Mayor Daniel Biss shared his view on the nomination.
“I’m excited about this,” said Biss. “I’ve always been so impressed by [Blumen’s] commitment to the way in which the practice of medicine and the strengthening of the community overlap.”
