Mutual Ground gets ex-Aurora school building, for free, for offices

In a three-way deal, the former Todd Early Learning Center building in Aurora is going to house administrative offices for Mutual Ground, a nonprofit agency that aids victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

The Aurora City Council approved the pact Tuesday. Mutual Ground and the West Aurora school board had already approved it.

West Aurora District 129 will give the building at 100 Oak Ave. to the city. The city will then give it to Mutual Ground, which will repair and renovate it.

Mutual Ground will allow the school district to use part of the building, rent-free, for student support-services work.

The building was constructed in 1934, replacing a school that burned down in 1927. It was named for Mary A. Todd, a longtime teacher and principal.

The district moved the preschool program in January to the former Dreyer Medical Building on West Galena Boulevard.

According to the district, the building would need about $143,000 worth of work to make it compliant with state building codes for schools. That list includes replacing the gymnasium floor, and getting rid of asbestos-containing floor tiles throughout.

Officials from Mutual Ground could not be reached for comment.