Cloudy 46 °F
About Us
Downtown Evanston (formerly Evmark), created in 1987, provides marketing and management services to the downtown Evanston, Illinois district and is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation. The organization is comprised of downtown Evanston commercial/residential property and business owners established to market, maintain, develop, and improve the vitality of the local economy and quality of life. The district that Downtown Evanston is responsible for is the Special Service Area (SSA4) , Illinois’ equivalent of a Business Improvement District (BID). Established in 1987, Downtown Evanston is governed by a Board of Directors and works in partnership with the city of Evanston.
Physical maintenance is a key responsibility, including supervision of sidewalk cleaning, trash collection, litter removal, landscaping maintenance and seasonal plantings. During the holiday season, Downtown Evanston provides festive decorations on downtown streetlights.
The Downtown Evanston staff regularly works with City officials, commission members and citizen groups regarding strategic issues affecting the area. Examples include updating the downtown master plan, streetscape updates and economic development.
In addition, Downtown Evanston coordinates and markets annual events; “It’s Thursday, Let’s Dance”, a six-week, free, summer dance series; the Super Summer Sidewalk Sale; the Holiday Tree Lighting; the North Pole with Santa. In partnership with Northwestern University, Downtown Evanston has created the popular “Big Bite Night” where 2,000 NU students are treated to free samples from downtown restaurants. Downtown Evanston also sponsors several signature events including the Fountain Square Arts Festival, NorthShore Grand Prix of Cycling and the Talking Pictures Film Festival.
Since its creation, Downtown Evanston has worked closely with the City of Evanston, downtown property owners, local real estate professionals and other stakeholders to ensure a healthy mix of retail uses. To recruit and retain over 300 ground floor businesses and the many office tenants in downtown’s successful mix, current vacancies are available in the Doing Business section.
