Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz says public works crews are doing great job this morning keeping streets cleared as snow continues to fall.
He says city staff estimates about 6 inches of snow has landed so far and a few more inches are expected today, with an additional few inches over the weekend.
The city’s Chandler, Levy, Fleetwood, Gibbs Morrison and Crown centers are open to provide recreation opportunities on this snow-day for local schools.
Bobkiewicz says so far fewer than 10 students each have shown up at Fleetwood and Crown.
“Mount Trashmore is packed,” with people hoping to go sledding, and, he adds, “We are working to manage as we can.”
The Civic Center is open and staffed in all departments.
The city has declared a Snow Route Parking Ban for posted snow routes tonight between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday, and a Snow Emergency for side streets on Saturday and Sununday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
To assist plowing operations and to make parking more convenient for residents, the city, both school districts and Northwestern University are allowing residents to park in their lots or garages during specific times this weekend.
Help with shoveling
The city is seeking volunteers to shovel snow for seniors and others who need help with the task. Volunteers can call 311 and be matched up. Those needing help are also encouraged to call 311.
Parking restrictions
During a Snow Route Parking Ban, vehicles are subject to ticketing, towing and storage charges.
Streets that are affected during snow emergencies are those with parking on both sides which are not posted as Snow Routes. Most streets with parking on one side only now have permanent “ODD date” or “EVEN date” signs. This allows them to be plowed during snow emergencies.
During a Snow Emergency, vehicles are subject to ticketing and towing. If towed, cars will be returned to the vicinity from which they were towed.
Emergency sirens
Emergency sirens will sound at 8:15 p.m. tonight to remind community members to move their cars for the Snow Route Parking Ban. The sirens will sound at 7:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to announce the Snow Emergency parking restrictions.
Where to put your car
If you don’t have your own off-street parking, there are still several options for where to put your car while streets are being plowed.
City Garages
The City has opened all three downtown parking garages for free parking through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Garages are located at 821 Davis St., 1800 Maple Ave. and 525 Church St.
ETHS
Evanston Township High School is allowing residents to park in its parking lots from 6 a.m. on Saturday until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
District 65
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is allowing residents to park in all of its parking lots on Sunday. However, cars must be removed by 4 p.m. In addition, the following school district lots are also available starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday: Dawes, Kingsley, Lincoln, Lincolnwood and Oakton.
Northwestern
In partnership with the City of Evanston, Northwestern University will open its North and South parking garages during the snow emergency to provide additional free parking for the Evanston community. The garages will be open to the public from 6 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. Monday.
During that time, anyone can park inside these Northwestern garages for free, and all parking access gate arms will be raised throughout the snow emergency. Those who choose to use the garages are asked to follow all designated parking signage within the facilities.
The North Garage, at 2311 North Campus Drive, can be reached by going east on Lincoln Street from Sheridan Road. To reach the South Garage at 1841 Sheridan Road, use South Campus Drive, located where northbound Sheridan Road turns west toward Chicago Avenue.