advertisement

Geneva commission says 'no' to tearing down Sixth Street School

The plan to knock down the former Sixth Street School and build a new library on the site hit a major snag Tuesday when the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission refused to grant a demolition permit.

"It still has the ability to be used as something else," commission chairman Scott Roy said Wednesday. It could be repurposed for a library, he said, if an addition were built to hold the books and the rest of the building used for offices, computer rooms and meeting areas, he said.

But the Geneva Library isn't interested in repurposing it, according to library board President Bob Shiffler.

"I'd say we are disappointed," Shiffler said of the commission's 5-0 vote. Two commissioners were absent.

"We don't want a three-story building," he said, saying it would require more staff to operate than a one- or two-story building. He also said it would be difficult to make large open spaces in the building, given the 12-inch-thick masonry load-bearing walls it has. A library needs open space, not "a whole building of classroom-sized rooms," he said.

Roy said the commission believes the property could be retrofitted to house offices or residences.

Architects hired by the building's owner, Kane County, said in a 272-page report that it would cost about $3.6 million to repair the building and make it meet current building code. That would include installing an elevator and a hydraulic lift to make the three-story building accessible to people with disabilities; rewiring the building; putting on new roofs; masonry repairs; replacing heating and ventilation systems; removing asbestos; and more.

The architect's report also said the building could not be used as a library, because the floors weren't designed for the weight of library books. The floors are rated for a 70-pounds-per-square-foot capacity; libraries require 150 pounds, it said. If the library moved in, the architects recommend keeping books on the ground floor.

The building is in Geneva's historic district, which is why the preservation commission had to vote on the request. The commission governs changes to the exterior of buildings, not the interiors.

The school was built in 1924. A two-story addition and a gymnasium were built in 1938 and 1939. It is designated a "significant" historical building by the city.

The county can appeal the decision to the Geneva City Council, and is likely to do so, according to county board Chairman Chris Lauzen. He said Wednesday he has already spoken to Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and City Administrator Mary McKittrick about that. Overruling the commission's decision requires approval from at least seven aldermen.

"I respect the role that every organization plays in the process," he said. Lauzen said he respects that the preservation commission's objective is to preserve older buildings. The city council's is different, he said: "Their objective is to make sure the best things happen within the Geneva community," he said.

"It's not so much about a building as it is about advancing what we do as a group of people in Geneva," Lauzen said.

The library agreed to buy the school from Kane County, and to pay up to $300,000 to demolish the building. The library has not designed a new building, preferring to first complete a needs-and-wants assessment of its services and current building. It is poised to sign a contract for that study, and expects to receive results in about six months, Shiffler said.

The Kane County Regional Office of Education is housed in the old school.

• Daily Herald staff writer James Fuller contributed to this story.

Geneva Library drops purchase of former Cetron factory

No rush to decide Geneva City Hall space question

Kane Co. approves Sixth Street School sale

Geneva Library board OKs Sixth Street School site buy

Demolition of Geneva school will cost more

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.