How safe is the area by the new Church Street Village townhomes in Evanston? (Chicago: townhouse)

[Downtown to Evanston]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are moving from downtown Chicago to Evanston, and we are looking for more space and convenient access to the Metra - I'll be heading north and my wife will be commuting south.

We really like the new Church Street Village development on Church Street between Dodge and Ashland, but are concerned about the safety of the area after reading some of the posts here. From walking around the neighborhood, we get the feeling that the vicinity is up and coming, but as outsiders we're just not sure.

Have you heard anything about this part of Evanston or that townhouse development? Are any future city investments in the growth of the area far off, or is the city taking an active interest in development of this part of Evanston?

Thanks so much,

Fred

[Bystander]

City of Evanston - West Evanston Planning

[jackandjill]

Fred

My advice is to stop by the Evanston Police Station and ask them in person to give you the statistics for that area and then decide.

[Lookout Kid]

It's probalby safer than wherever you lived in the city!

[FredFuque]

Originally Posted by Downtown to Evanston

Hello everyone,
We really like the new Church Street Village development on Church Street between Dodge and Ashland, but are concerned about the safety of the area after reading some of the posts here. From walking around the neighborhood, we get the feeling that the vicinity is up and coming, but as outsiders we're just not sure.

Speaking as someone who was born and raised in Evanston, my advice to you would be to look elsewhere.

If you follow the Evanston Review (especially the Police Blotter section), you'll quickly realize that the area around Dodge between Church and Emerson is a hotbed of criminal activity, gang violence, shootings, etc. There's a reason they closed up that old pedestrian tunnel at the end of Davis Street where it crosses under the railroad tracks - people who walked through it were getting mugged. This was many years ago, and the area seems to be even worse now than it was back then.

There is hope for the future, as much of the property along the former railroad ROW is scheduled for redevelopment, but I would wait until the area has gentrified somewhat before I would even consider moving in.

[Manigault]

I think the area is pretty safe. No where is absolutely safe and this area was less safe than other areas of Evanston, in the past. Right now, its pretty safe. It depends what you are comparing this area to.