Dist. 59, public delve into land plan possibilities
Monday marked the first time residents could tell Elk Grove Township District 59 officials in person what they think about plans to sell or build on properties the district owns, with other opportunities for public comment coming this week.
District 59 hosted the first of two community listening sessions to solicit feedback and answer questions about the property options they've put on the table as they consider plans to expand teacher professional development training space.
Most of the 10 or so residents who attended the forum at Grove Junior High School asked questions of district staff. Some took a survey, which is expected to go live on the district's website today.
One of those who filled out a survey, District 59 parent Ray Szull, said it's his preference the district-owned site of the former Lively Junior High School is at least partially maintained as green space.
The second public forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the district's administration center, 2123 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.
Superintendent Art Fessler and other administrators on Monday night provided more detail into three scenarios they are considering:
• Renovate the existing two-story administration center and build a connected one-story professional development center on a portion of the neighboring property at 2121 S. Arlington Heights Road, which used to be the site of the Wellington restaurant and banquet hall. The parking lot would be resurfaced with room for 175 spaces, and green space added.
One consideration, Fessler said, is that any renovations to the existing building would mean the addition of sprinklers and other building code updates.
The estimated total cost to the district is $4 million.
• Build a new administration center on the Wellington site, and sell the property where the current administration building is. The land sale could fetch $1 million, Fessler said, and that would help fund construction costs, but at the end of the day, the district would still be on the hook for $7 million to $8 million for the new administration center, a new warehouse and parking lot improvements.
• Sell both properties on Arlington Heights Road and use proceeds to fund construction of a new administration center and warehouse on a portion of the old Lively school site at 999 Leicester Road in Elk Grove Village, adjacent to the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion.
Officials say the school district and park district could partner to construct a track and maintain some soccer field space. The park district currently has free use of the 8-acre field for soccer and other programming, under an intergovernmental agreement with District 59.
The cost to District 59 would be $3 million to $4 million.
In addition to proceeds from potential property sales, the school board intends to use the district's reserve fund, which currently sits at $140 million, to fund construction costs, Fessler said.
The school board is expected to make final decisions in February.