Ela Township to buy post office building

Ela Township officials announced Friday they will buy the Lake Zurich Post Office building for $700,000 and use it to house services and programs for seniors.

If everything goes according to plan, the township will officially close on the property at 380 Surryse Road on June 30 and take possession of the 10,400-square-foot building July 1.

The post office will consolidate into one building at Route 22 and Tesler Road before the end of June, Ela Township Supervisor Lucy Prouty said.

The township will continue to utilize its space at the Foglia YMCA for a senior satellite office, and for various youth programs, Prouty said.

“This (post office building) will be a perfect location for us to open up a new senior services facility,” she said. “It’s close to walking distance for many senior complexes in Lake Zurich and will be well utilized by the people of the township.”

The purchase price includes the building and 2.4 acres, Prouty said, and will not add to the tax levy burden on residents. The township includes Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods, Deer Park, Kildeer, and portions of Long Grove and Barrington.

She said future plans for the center include a fully-equipped kitchen, a computer lab and expanded rooms for creation of new programs.

“I’m looking forward to more intergenerational programming, such as healthy cooking classes for seniors and a place for people to share family recipes to pass down to young people,” said Susan Dillon, Ela Township 55-Plus director. “We’ll be accessible to so many more people.”

Groups now using the Ela Township historical building will also be able to use space in the new facility.

“It was an opportunity not to be missed,” Prouty said.