Evanston Planted Birdseed Garden on Vacant Lot

The city established a temporary birdseed garden at the site of a planned future housing development.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A flourishing urban garden with native wildflowers and tall grasses inside a simple wooden fence, situated in an Evanston city lot. — Evanston officials have converted a city-owned vacant lot at Main and Sherman into a temporary birdseed garden to improve the land's utility during zoning approvals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should cities use vacant lots for temporary nature projects to improve community aesthetics?

Evanston officials have transformed a city-owned vacant lot at Main and Sherman into a temporary birdseed garden. The site currently serves as an interim feature while awaiting the finalization of private housing development plans.

Why it matters

The garden occupies the space during a planned one-year vacancy as the site undergoes necessary zoning approvals. This approach provides an ecological alternative to keeping the land barren while the project moves through municipal channels.

The city sold the lot located at 801-809 Main St. to developer CityPads for $1.5 million. The cost to purchase and plant the ryegrass, millet, and wheat mixture was approximately $100.

The players

CityPads

CityPads is the developer currently tasked with the housing project slated for the Main and Sherman site.

Evanston City Council

Evanston City Council is the local legislative body responsible for zoning and approving the land sale.

The details

Following the demolition of a dilapidated building in July 2026, officials planted the low-maintenance seed mix as recommended by an ecologist. The lot is scheduled to remain in this state for one year as the city and developers navigate the approval process.

July 2026: Demolition of the previous storefront building occurred.
September 2026: City Council approved the $1.5 million sale to CityPads.
October 2026: CityPads expects to submit formal development plans.
Next year: The lot will remain vacant during the ongoing zoning approval process.

Market Landscape

This project reflects a broader trend of municipalities utilizing interim land-use strategies to manage property slated for long-term urban development. By implementing low-maintenance ecological solutions, the city effectively transitions the lot from a demolished storefront to a future high-value residential site.

Residents and shoppers in the area will notice a non-traditional garden at the Main and Sherman intersection instead of a barren lot. The site requires no ongoing maintenance or public harvesting, meaning there is no expected impact on local traffic or city service budgets.

The takeaway

Using vacant lots for ecological purposes provides a cost-effective way to improve urban aesthetics during long development cycles. Citizens can expect the garden to change appearance as the plants yellow and produce seeds in the coming months.