HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 86-R-24 Approval of an Honorary Street Name Sign Designation
02/10/2024
86-R-24
A RESOLUTION
Designating that Portion of Greenwood Street Between Forest Road
and Sheridan Road with Honorary Street Name Sign,
“Kris Hartzell Way”
WHEREAS, Kris Hartzell has worked at the Evanston History Center at
the Charles Gates Dawes House on Greenwood Street since 2007 and has developed
and led many historically-focused programs and initiatives educating the public about
the culture and architecture of the historic Evanston lakefront area and beyond; and
WHEREAS, while employed by the History Center, Kris has directed the
preservation and maintenance of the Dawes House, has served as the collections
registrar and overseen the artifact collection, has led architectural walking tours, and
has been a regular contributor to the RoundTable newspaper on matters of historical
Evanston events and landmarks; and
WHEREAS, Kris’ work has included training and managing the volunteer
docent team at the History Center, who conduct tours of the house museum and handle
all aspects of management of the property for activities such as weddings, corporate
events, and film shoots and concerts; Kris maintains the balance of preserving the
historic mansion while providing public access to this unique and beloved Evanston
landmark; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her work at the History Center, Kris has been an
unofficial Evanston story teller and educator to thousands of people, both from within
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86-R-24
and outside the Evanston community, about the city’s history, the land, the people, the
architecture, and places of worship; and
WHEREAS, Kris’ community engagement is far-reaching and broad, as
during Covid lockdown when the public was unable to visit the Dawes House, Kris
broadcast lectures on social media, which maintained critical contact with members of
the community, especially for Evanston’s older residents; and
WHEREAS, Kris’ many distinguishments and accomplishments include
co-authoring the Evanston Design Heritage Essays and the Evanston 150 Years 150
Places, earning a Master’s under the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Historic
Preservation Fellowship Award, earning a Master of Science in Historic Preservation
from the School of the Art Institute, receiving a Certificate in Historic Preservation from
Northwestern University, becoming a Mayoral Appointee of City of Evanston
Preservation Commission, and being a member of the Woman’s Club of Evanston; and
WHEREAS, because of her deep contributions to the Evanston
community’s knowledge, understanding, and education of the city’s rich architectural
and cultural history, the name “Kris Hartzell” has become synonymous with the
Evanston History Center on Greenwood Street for many Evanston residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2: On behalf of the citizenry of the City of Evanston, the City
Council hereby expresses appreciation for Kris Hartzell by designating that portion of
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86-R-24
Greenwood Street Between Forest Road and Sheridan Road with Honorary Street
Name Sign, “Kris Hartzell Way.”
SECTION 3: This Resolution 86-R-24 will be in full force and effect from
and after the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Adopted: ____ February 10, 2024
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation Counsel
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City of Evanston
Honorary Street Name Sign Application Form
PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Honorary Street Name Sign program was established to allow
citizens the opportunity to honor people who have contributed greatly to the City of Evanston
through cultural, historic, or humanitarian acts. Request for an honorary designation has to
originate with an Alderman and each Alderman may have one honorary designation approved
each year. Honorary street name signs are displayed for a period of ten-years and the portion
of a street so designated is one block long. The program is administered by the Parks and
Recreation Board through the Parks and Recreation Department. Final approval is granted by
the Evanston City Council. The honorary designation expires ten years after its passage by City
Council, at which time the signs will be removed (Resolution 52-R-01).
PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION BELOW:
NAME OF HONOREE: Kris Hartzell Way
(as it would appear on the street sign)
Greenwood StreetPROPER STREET NAME:
INTERSECTING STREETS AT EACH END OF THE ONE BLOCK AREA:
Forest Road and Sheridan Road
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY, AND GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION FOR EACH OF THE
APPLICABLE CRITERIA. A STREET CAN BE NAMED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, OR
GROUP/DESIGNATION.
__X_CULTURAL IMPACT TO CITY:
City of Evanston Preservation Commission work – As a Commission member Kris Hartzell has
assisted hundreds of current homeowners seeking information on the historical significance of
the architectural and historical features and styles of their homes. She has been a champion of
balancing the City’s preservation objective to maintain original design and aesthetic with the
practicality of ensuring homes meet the needs of current occupants.
Evanston History Center Walking Tours & Education - As the Director of Facilites and
Collections, Kris has encouraged the community to take an active interest in the importance of
Evanston’s architecture. Her goal is to educate residents and visitors on the details of historic
design and the benefit of faithful preservation. Her walking tours explore all neighborhoods in
Evanston and include private homes, public buildings and significant, historic apartment design.
Evanston History Center House Walk - For many years, Kris has researched and authored the
Evanston History Center Mother’s Day House Walk programs that include the biographical
details, architectural and building history of each home on the tour. Participating home owners
and the thousands of House Walk attendees have benefited from her research, local knowledge
and scholarly preservation expertise. Kris also selects the homes on the Walk each year to
Parks and Recreation Department
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60201
T 847.448.4311
TTY 847.866.5095
www.cityofevanston.org
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ensure the depth and breadth of the city’s architectural history and culture is represented
through these tours.
_X__ HISTORICAL IMPACT TO CITY:
Kris has been employed by the Evanston History Center since 2007. She directs the
preservation and maintenance of the Charles Gates Dawes House, serves as the collections
registrar and oversees the artifact collection. She leads architectural walking tours, is a regular
contributor to the RoundTable newspaper on historical Evanston subject matter and develops
educational programs. Kris trains and manages the volunteer docent team, who conduct tours
of the house museum and handles all aspects of the usage of the property for private events
such as weddings, corporate events, film shoots and concerts. Kris maintains the balance of
preserving the historic mansion while providing public access to the unique and beloved
Evanston Landmark.
___HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS:
Womans Club of Evanston – Kris worked on and was chairperson for the annual Fairy Tale Trail
for over a decade, bringing non-threatening, non-scary Halloween fun to children of all abilities
in Evanston and the broader community.
Programming and Education at Evanston History Center - Kris has created and led programs
and events providing a forum for nostalgia, learning and engagement. During Covid lockdown,
when people were unable to visit the Dawes House, Kris broadcast lectures on social media,
maintaining critical contact with members of the community especially for Evanston’s older
residents.
Kris has been the city of Evanston story teller and educator to thousands of people, near and
far, about the history of Evanston, the land, the people, the architecture, the places of worship,
the residences, the retail, the university and schools.
__X_CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH EVANSTON:
During her time at the Evanston History Center, Kris has repeatedly demonstrated her love and
deep respect for the City of Evanston. Not only did she grow up here herself, she chose to raise
her family here too. She has lived and worked in the City of Evanston and has made it her life's
work to showcase the natural and architectural beauty this city is so fortunate to possess.
_X__ DISTINGUISED CAREER BROUGHT TO THE CITY:
Co-Author of Evanston Design Heritage Essays, which profiles 127 architects,
designers, landscape architects and planners who lived and worked in Evanston.
Co-Author of Evanston 150 Years 150 Places, which celebrates and profiles 150 notable
buildings and important places.
Masters in Historic Preservation Fellowship Award - The School of the Art Institute of
Chicago
Masters of Science, Historic Preservation - School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Certificate, Historic Preservation - Northwestern University
Mayoral Appointee - City of Evanston Preservation Commission
Regular contributor of articles to the Evanston RoundTable news publication
Member Womans Club of Evanston
__X_GEOGRAPHICAL RELATIONSHIP OF STREET TO FOCUS OF INTEREST
Kris has worked at the Evanston History Center since 2007 located in the Charles Gates Dawes
House at 225 Greenwood Street and has developed and led many historically focused walking
tours of the historic lakefront area and beyond. The name Kris Hartzell is synonymous with the
Evanston History Center.
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__X__ A LIVING INDIVIDUAL (EXCLUSIVE OF CITY OF EVANSTON STAFF)
Signature of Applicant: Clare Kelly Date: 11-14-24
(Councilmember)
ckelly@cityofevanston.orgEmail:
Deborah KasindorfSignature of Applicant: Date: 11-13-24
dkasindorf@evanstonhistorycenter.orgEmail:
Submit completed form to:
City of Evanston
Parks and Recreation Department
2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Fax: 847-448-8051
pbelcher@cityofevanston.org
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