EVANSTON — Thanks to the generous contributions of a pair of donors, work on sections two through four of Evanston’s Roundhouse continues to move forward. A community reception was held on Thursday, May 10, to recognize the individuals behind some of those contributions.

Peter and Lee Larson of the Larson Family Foundation have donated $150,000 toward the reconstruction of doors in the unfinished sections of the Roundhouse. The two were in Evanston to celebrate the opening of Evanston’s new Youth Club, to which they have also contributed, and the Roundhouse reception was planned to coincide with their visit. 

Evanston City Clerk Amy Grenfell said in her opening comments that the Larsons had donated major funding to the reconstruction of “our beloved Roundhouse.” She continued by saying, “The word ‘building’ doesn’t do the Roundhouse justice…The Roundhouse is alive.” 

Grenfell’s predecessor Jim Davis spoke and provided some history of the Roundhouse and Railyards since their original completion in 1914 and the reconstruction project over the past several decades. Davis said, “The work has not been easy and has not been without doubt or controversy.” 

Davis reminisced about the first Urban Renewal Ball that was able to be held in the Machine Shop while that renovation project was still incomplete. “It was pretty bare bones, but there were grown men there with tears in their eyes,” he said. Davis credited the Renewal Ball, in-kind grants and private sector donations as being the drivers of the entire reconstruction project that is ongoing. 

Grenfell, who became emotional while speaking about the Larsons, said the two have become her dear friends and their gift will be “forever acknowledged as part of the story of the Roundhouse.” 

Peter and Lee Larson were presented with a ceremonial “Key to the Roundhouse,” and Peter said, “We believe Evanston has an important future,” and stressed the importance of the community working together to continue the restoration projects and other community projects. 

Grenfell said the door reconstruction project for sections two through four is possible through both the Larsons’ donation and another $100,000 contribution from an anonymous donor. This will hopefully allow the doors to be completed later in the year after the bidding process has been completed. 

Some other work on Roundhouse sections two through four will also be occurring, including some floor work, in the upcoming months. 

While the two donations toward the door reconstruction project came from people outside of the community, Grenfell said the Roundhouse and Railyards also show the value of the community coming together in support of a project. “This is very unique for a community our size,” she said. “Just look what can happen when people get on common ground.”