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Plan of Evanston
bonds for the erection of a public auditorium. The Auditorium might be located on the site of the Haven school. The Art Museum is placed on the west side of Church Street, on the north and south axis drawn through Commercial Park. The location of both these buildings makes them an important part of the City Center group.
This somewhat elaborate scheme for the beautification of the City Center would not have been presented to the people of Evanston and the city council if we had not considered it beautiful, practical, and above all, of vital necessity to the city. Evanston has a national reputation for culture, clean and healthful living conditions, a city government without reproach, unsurpassed schools, and a residence district excelled by none in the land. A visitor, ignorant of our virtues, on entering the city at either of the Davis Street stations would have little promise of what the city holds in store for him. Unquestionably, the city gate and city center are mean, inadequate, and utterly unworthy a city of the size and importance of Evanston, and they are injurious to our fair reputation. It does not take much imagination to picture the advantages that would accrue to Evanston if the scheme as suggested for the City Center could be realized. It would mean added population, increased business for the merchants and above all, it would give Evanstonians something they would be proud of and thus develop a greater civic pride. The greatest benefit it would give us would be, perhaps, that of making for higher ideals of citizenship.
As Evanston grows, sub City Centers would become necessary at Main and Central Streets. At these points might be located branches of the Post Office and Library, which, together with the Fire Engine stations and Police Departments, would form civic groups of interest and importance. These sub-groups have not been developed on the plans, but their necessity in the not distant future should be recognized and provided for.
