Kane Co. approves Sixth Street School sale
The Sixth Street School will become the future new home of the Geneva Library as soon as Jan. 22. That's when the library board meets to discuss Tuesday's unanimous approval by the Kane County Board to sell the property for $1.5 million plus the costs to demolish the school.
"This is good progress," said county board Chairman Chris Lauzen after a closed-door meeting of the board to discuss the sale. "I'm deeply grateful for the easy working relationship with the Geneva Library Board."
Lauzen said there will be a conditional closing on the contract that will give the county four months to complete a full demolition of the school. Part of the deal involves the library chipping in up to $300,000 over and above the $1.5 million purchase price to pay for the county to complete the demolition. The county will begin seeking bids for the work immediately. If the bids show the demolition work will cost more than $300,000, the library board has the option to void the purchasing agreement or agree to pay more for the work.
The full closing date is set for Oct. 8. That gives the Kane County Regional Office of Education nearly nine months to find a new home. Lauzen said staff members are already exploring several new locations.
In the meantime, the library board will meet Thursday to review proposals for hiring a firm to study the space needs of the district. It will narrow the list and schedule interviews.
Library board President Bob Shiffler said the results of the study would apply to the current library building or a new one.
Once a firm is chosen, he expects it could take three to five months to complete the study.
So don't look for a new library soon.
"We're probably several years away from that," Shiffler said.
He said he believes it is likely the library would be best located in a new building. "We have gone about as far as we can (regarding space) with the current facility," he said.
The original part of the library at 127 James St. was built in 1908. Additions were constructed in 1938, 1986 and 1998. It is landlocked.