Evanston Arts Center Withdraws Loan Request from City

The Evanston Arts Center withdrew its request for a loan from the city Thursday afternoon, according to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. He said the nonprofit obtained the financing it needs to buy a new building from another source.

This comes three days after the City Council approved a $500,000 loan for the center at its Monday meeting, directing Bobkiewicz to start negotiations with the center about the terms of the loan, according to an article in the Evanston Review.

The center is currently housed in the city’s Harley Clarke Mansion. But the city is negotiating with the state to sell the building, so the arts center needs a new home.

The center is looking to purchase a building at 1717 Central St. on an expeditied schedule, and had asked the city for a loan to help make the speedy purchase, the Evanston Review article says.

Photo: The city-owned Harley Clarke mansion currently houses the Evanston Arts Center.