Evanston's 4th Ward residents told city consultants at a Tuesday, June 23 virtual meeting they want the Police/Fire Headquarters at 1454 Elmwood Ave. to stay put, pushing back against any redevelopment that could bring a high-rise to their neighborhood.

Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma organized the session, inviting residents to share concerns with consultants from the city's Putting Assets to Work program about what could replace the shared police and fire station at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Lake Street.

Nick Patera, who lives at 1580 Elmwood Ave. directly next to the headquarters, warned that a tall building would block sunlight and air for neighbors. He pointed to the Albion Evanston building as proof, saying nearby residents "can't see sunrises anymore."

"If they put another Albion building in there, we're screwed, simple terms," Patera said.

Donald Ziegler, a resident of the neighborhood for decades, called the police "wonderful neighbors" and urged any future development to remain low-rise and single-family. Steve Lewis, who lives a block from the station, called the headquarters a crucial crime deterrent and said he and his neighbors want the Evanston Police Department to stay.

Susan Bangs Munro broadened the conversation, asking consultants to consider deteriorating empty properties near Maple Avenue and Grove Street as part of any neighborhood planning effort.

The PAW program, which launched in 2024 with a $985,000 federal grant, is evaluating three city-owned properties: the Police/Fire Headquarters, the former Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, and the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. Consultants Ryan Porter of the MPACT Collective and Michael McLean of Sentient Co. presented a slideshow before opening the floor.

Both consultants stressed that the initiative remains in its community input phase, with no recommendations finalized. McLean told attendees that any PAW recommendations "do not supersede the regular land use procedures in the City of Evanston" and that residents would have additional opportunities to weigh in before City Council.

No timeline for a final recommendation or Council vote has been announced.