Annie Coakley, Executive Director of Downtown Evanston

In this episode of The Lisa D Show Podcast we talk to Annie Coakley, the Executive Director of Downtown Evanston, about the myriad creative problem skills she brings to her job everyday. From attracting new businesses to designing public spaces for people to gather to public art, Annie works closely with business owners, citizens and the City of Evanston to make Downtown Evanston a gem.

Below are links to some of the topic we discussed;

• New TOD building worked with EMAP to create a mural by Shawn Bullen. Click here to read an interview with Shawn.
• May 2018 one of her biggest projects during her tenure, the redesign and launch of Fountain Square, will be live. We talk about Fountain Square project in great detail, you can click here to learn more. 
• Oct. 15 is the 3rd annual Oktoberfest in the Farmer's Market parking lot featuring the sounds of DJ Dustin Harris and libations from 13 breweries!
• Oct. 14: Open House Chicago features locations of interest in Downtown Evanston, click here for list

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 "The Lisa D Show" is a podcast celebrating creatives, featuring 20-minute, unedited conversations that mimic the live-radio vibe, very low tech on purpose. Reach out to host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow[at]gmail.com

Katherine Gotsick with Main Dempster Mile

I often ask the question ... can a neighborhood have a personality? Yes it can! Here's how...

I have watched with interest the Main Demspter Mile SSA in Evanston come to life in the last several years. (SSA = special services area). Last November MDM hired Executive Director Katherine Gotsick and she has brought a certain kind of energy and creativity to her job. It's an exciting time for the MDM SSA!

In this interview we talk about how MDM is making positive changes to the commercial strip of Chicago Ave. in Evanston from South Blvd. to Greenwood, east/west on Dempster and east/west on Main. The MDM Vision: To be a creative urban environment with an iconic small town personality. These changes include creative place making projects (a mural by Ruben Aguirre thanks to Evanston Mural Arts Program outdoor seating, donation stations, etc.), fundraisers (Charity Wine Walk), Small Business Saturday and more.

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"The Lisa D Show" is a podcast celebrating creatives, featuring 20-minute, unedited conversations that mimic the live-radio vibe, very low tech on purpose. Reach out to host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow[at]gmail.com