Northwestern University has started visible repair work on some of its long-vacant Evanston properties, a development that follows years of community pressure and a string of city code violations.

Scaffolding went up at 624 Noyes St. and 629 Haven St. in mid-August, according to 30-year Orrington Avenue resident Steven Sklare, who observed the construction activity roughly a week before the city's Preservation Commission inspected the sites on Friday, Aug. 21. Both the city and Northwestern have confirmed that remediation is underway, Evanston Now reported Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The repairs come after the city cited Northwestern in July for failing to register seven off-campus properties as vacant. The university has received a dozen violation and correction notices for its vacant houses since 2025.

A city hearing on fines related to the properties was postponed to Thursday, Sept. 17, according to Evanston Now. A separate property standards hearing is set for Thursday, Sept. 3, where Northwestern will address violations found by the city. The Preservation Commission will discuss its walking tour findings at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Commission found no need for demolition

The commission's Aug. 21 walking tour covered 11 vacant Northwestern-owned properties that have drawn community complaints, including two individual Evanston landmarks: 640 Lincoln St., the historic Roycemore Academy building, and 716-722 University Place.

Preservation planner Cade Sterling, who led the inspection, said the majority of the houses are in good condition and that repairs are feasible. None requires demolition, he said, according to the Evanston Roundtable.

"Every aspect of that building can be rehabilitated and can be restored and repaired currently," Sterling said of the Roycemore building during the tour. "[Northwestern] just needs to start the process."

Still, inspectors found concerns. The Roycemore building's roof had downspouts directed toward the building interior, tarps covering holes and opened windows. Former Preservation Commission chair Sarah Dreller, an architecture historian, said the water penetration problems she observed are consistent with what she called "the playbook" for demolition by neglect.

Commission chair Carl Klein described the tour as a "fact-finding survey" and said the commission had asked Northwestern about its development plans "multiple times" without receiving a response.

Kelly: 'A lot of progress'

First Ward Councilmember Clare Kelly, who has led the push to get Northwestern's vacant properties registered and brought up to code, said during the Aug. 21 tour that she was encouraged by what she saw.

"We saw a lot of progress, a lot of repairs happening, restoration, maintenance, so I'm pleased," Kelly said.

The 11 properties inspected include homes on Colfax Street, a building at 1915 Orrington Ave. and the structure at 711 Elgin Road, which is Northwestern's second-oldest campus building, constructed in 1874.

Northwestern has not publicly detailed which properties are receiving repairs or provided a timeline for completing the work. The Thursday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 17 hearings will determine whether the city pursues further enforcement action.