Evanston Rejects Plan To Convert Historic Mansion To Hotel

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) -- The Evanston City Council rejected a plan by James Pritzker to convert a mansion into a hotel. Alderman voted 6-3 against the plan.

The corporate offer was to pay the city $1.2 million for an historic 16 room mansion and the adjoining park land along Evanston's lakefront. The idea was for the Harley-Clarke Mansion to be turned into a trendy boutique hotel.

Many residents displayed yard signs opposing the plan. They were worried about possibly losing access to the nearby beach.

"We pay taxes here, a good gosh darn lot of taxes and it seems what benefit do we get from having the hotel there. Yes, there would be jobs, but it seems like a large sacrifice to make," said Evanston resident Sophia Fedderson.

Monday night, the Evanston City Council met to hear the public response. The meeting was jam packed with opponents.