The Downtown Evanston SSA (Special Serice Area) provides marketing, programming, landscaping, holiday decor, and business retention/attraction services for the downtown business district. Below is a list of resources to help market and promote downtown businesses, and engage community members and visitors.
Special Events
Downtown Evanston hosts a number of events throughout the year to bring people together in our beautiful downtown. Most of these events take place at Fountain Square, which is a City of Evanston park. Downtown Evanston produces and organizes events that the staff and Board of Directors believe will support economic development, provide exposure for local businesses, and be beneficial to our goal of creating a welcoming and enjoyable destination for residents and visitors. Please click here for a list of our Annual Events. If you are interested in sponsoring any of our events, please review these 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities. For questions, please email Laura Brown lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org.
If a business, organization or other entity is interested in hosting an event at Fountain Square, or an event that would require street closures, please reach out to the City of Evanston Parks & Recreation to apply for a special event permit. Click here to learn more about the process.
If a business, organization or other entity is interested in hosting an event at Fountain Square, or an event that would require street closures, please reach out to the City of Evanston Parks & Recreation to apply for a special event permit. Click here to learn more about the process.
Street Pole Banner Program
Downtown Evanston operates a Street Pole Banner Program to help create a "sense of place" for the central business district. The banners add color, excitement and character to the streetscape while also calling attention to the healthy mix of businesses and services, as well as the overall district. 60 additional street pole banners were added in 2024, and more will be added in the coming years, as budget permits.
If your organization is interested in hanging temporary banners for a special event in the Downtown, please contact Laura Brown at lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org for additional details and costs.
If your organization is interested in hanging temporary banners for a special event in the Downtown, please contact Laura Brown at lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org for additional details and costs.
e-Newsletters
Downtown Evanston sends a biweekly e-newsletter to 6,700+ plus opt-in subscribers, typically in the first and third weeks of the month. The e-newsletter features information about Downtown Evanston programming, special opportunities, and other community news. Downtown Evanston also sends out a separate e-newsletter specifically for downtown merchants and business owners.
If you'd like us to include an item or event a future e-newsletter, please email a text description with a weblink and photo or graphic (square format jpg) to lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org.
If you'd like us to include an item or event a future e-newsletter, please email a text description with a weblink and photo or graphic (square format jpg) to lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org.
Social Media
Downtown Evanston manages Facebook and Instagram accounts for the business district. Share your business photos with us tagging @downtownevanston and using the hashtags listed below. In addition, please feel free to add @downtownevanston as a collaborator on Instagram posts.
All posts: #downtownevanston #evanston #chicagonorthshore #evanstonillinois #visitevanston
Restaurants: #evanstoneats #eattheburbs #dineoutevanston
Shop: #shopevanston #shoplocal #smallbusinesslove #evanstonshops #golocal
Health/Fitness: #gethealthy #getfit
All posts: #downtownevanston #evanston #chicagonorthshore #evanstonillinois #visitevanston
Restaurants: #evanstoneats #eattheburbs #dineoutevanston
Shop: #shopevanston #shoplocal #smallbusinesslove #evanstonshops #golocal
Health/Fitness: #gethealthy #getfit
Co-op Advertising
There are currently no new opportunities for co-op advertising.
Snow Removal
In the event of snow, please remember that it is the responsibility of businesses, residents and landlords to remove snow and ice from sidewalks after a snow event. Below is a summary of the City of Evanston's ordinance.
- Sidewalks should be completely cleared to allow everyone, including people with disabilities, children walking to school and the elderly, to travel freely using the sidewalks instead of the street.
- Businesses are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property; snow should be removed a minimum of 36” away from the building to avoid citation.
- Snow should be removed as to not block any public right of way (alleys, sidewalks, fire hydrants and streets).
Please note that Downtown Evanston does not provide snow removal service. The contract with our landscape vendor includes garbage removal 7 days a week, seasonal flower plantings, ground level plants and shrub maintenance and grass mowing, and an annual sidewalk power washing.