It looks like the evergreen in question could be a juniper. If so, it does require more sunlight. My concern from the image you sent is that the lowest branches are browning. This suggests perhaps the tree was allowed to dry out in the summer or it could have been hit with spray from a weed killer or roof cleaning solution? It looks like the top growth is new and healthy. When you replace it, be sure to check the soil to see if it is too dry (should be moist in this spring season) or too wet (no standing water once plant is removed.) If soil seems fine then two ideas for evergreen replacements: A narrow yew such as "Hick's yew" or a Pieris japonica (lily of the valley shrub.) Both of these are shade tolerant, but the yew would be better in dry soil and the Pieris is more adaptable to wet soil. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti