TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2025
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to consolidate four existing public recreational leases with the City of Evanston on approximately 121.05± acres of District real estate along the North Shore Channel into two lease agreements: one new 50-year lease for public recreational use, and one existing lease to continue as a public golf course. Consideration for the lease consolidation shall be a one-time fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
The City of Evanston (“City”) leases approximately 121.05± acres of District real estate located along the North Shore Channel in Evanston, Illinois, starting near Isabella Street on the north and extending to Main Street on the south. The four existing leases are summarized below:
|
Lease Number |
Term |
Acreage |
Description |
|
L-063 |
7-11-2019 to 5-31-2032 |
99.97± acres |
52.94± acres for the Canal Shores Golf Course (from north of Isabella Street to Green Bay Road) and 47.03± acres for parks along the North Shore Channel (from Green Bay Road to Church Street) |
|
L-064 |
5-7-2020 to 5-6-2045 |
16.4± acres |
Harbert Park on east side of North Shore Channel (from Dempster Street to Main Street) |
|
L-278 |
8-1-2023 to 7-31-2053 |
2.1± acres |
Skate park on east bank of North Shore Channel, south of Green Bay Road |
|
L-349 |
2-1-2018 to 1-31-2068 |
2.58± acres |
Parks located on east bank of North Shore Channel, north of Church Street |
The City has requested to consolidate its four lease agreements into two leases based on the uses: one for the recreational parks along the North Shore Channel, and one for the public golf course known as The Evans at Canal Shores (“Canal Shores”). The total leased acreage and uses will not change, but this separation of the leaseholds will provide efficiencies for the City in its land use planning and financing. In particular, the consolidation will assist the City’s ongoing efforts to obtain grant funding to improve its parks and open space. The consolidation is also beneficial for the District because it will be more effective to manage the multiple public parks leased to the City under one lease agreement that contains the District’s modern lease provisions.
As part of this consolidation, the City will surrender the 47.03± acres currently used as public parks under the Canal Shores lease, and that area will be combined with the other public parks into one 50-year lease (commencing in 2025) for public recreational use. This new lease will comprise 68.11± acres. The remaining 52.94± acres of the Canal Shores leasehold will continue to be used as a public golf course under the same terms and conditions.
It is requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the District to consolidate four existing public recreational leases with the City of Evanston on approximately 121.05± acres of District real estate along the North Shore Channel into two lease agreements: one new 50-year lease for public recreational use, and one existing lease to continue as a public golf course. Consideration for the lease consolidation shall be a one-time fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to effect this consolidation through the execution of one new 50-year lease agreement for public recreational use, and the execution of a lease amendment to the existing public golf course lease, after said documents are approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:MSZ:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for October 2, 2025
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