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Architect to design drawings for Dist. 59 early learning facility

An architect will design schematics for a proposed early childhood learning center in Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59.

The school board voted this week to hire Legat Architects to put together a floor plan and 3-D renderings of the proposed $14.3 million, 55,000-square-foot facility that would be built on the east side of Holmes Junior High School, 1900 Lonnquist Boulevard in Mount Prospect.

"It allows the district to develop more precise square footage estimates and cost estimates in terms of what would need to be in those spaces," said Becki Streit, the district's assistant superintendent for educational services.

District 59 officials will negotiate a contract with Legat that will pay the firm a percentage fee based on the total cost of the project - likely 7 percent of the total project cost, according to Tony Rossi, the district's director of buildings and grounds. The board could vote on the contract with Legat at its next meeting July 21.

Hiring an architect for the project doesn't represent final approval, but the school board earlier this month did agree with conceptual plans for the facility.

It's so far delayed a decision on how to pay for the project, though this week the board did vote to authorize William Blair & Co. as a bond underwriter - a necessary legal step should the board decide to borrow funds to pay for the work.

The board is considering borrowing the full amount to pay for the project, using district reserves to cover the full cost, or a combination of the two.

Architects are set to present drawings to the board at its next meeting. A community forum is planned before then to discuss the project with the public.

Officials have targeted August 2015 for the opening of the facility.

Early childhood center 'likely to be a reality' in District 59

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