Committee Narrowly Approves Plan to Sell Harley Clarke Mansion to State

Updated Friday:

The Human Services Committee voted 3-2 to this week to approve a plan to have the city negotiate to sell the Harley Clarke Mansion to the state, according to an article in Evanston Now. The full City Council will hear the proposal Monday.

Original story posted Tuesday:

The City of Evanston is considering selling the Harley Clarke mansion to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It would lease the land.

The Human Services Committee will discuss whether to authorize the city manager to enter into negotiations with the state for the sale of the building at 2603 Sheridan Rd. at its Wednesday meeting, according to committee documents.

In order to proceed, two thirds of the City Council needs to approve an ordinance authorizing negotiations. After that, two thirds of the council would again need to approve an actual sale based on the result of negotiations.

The City Council last year rejected 6-3 a bid by Jennifer Pritzker to buy the building and 2.5 acres of land in order to create a boutique hotel.

What do you think of the idea of selling the mansion to the state? Would you prefer to see something else done?