Naperville leaders to get look at Central options

Naperville city, park district and school leaders will get a look next week at possible reconfigurations for the Caroline Martin Mitchell property surrounding Naperville Central High School.

The groups are holding a workshop in which consultant Houseal Lavigne Associates will unveil several concepts it has drafted to create a "civic campus" that makes best use of the land.

The workshop, which is open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 in the library of Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.

Martin Mitchell donated the 212 acres located south of Aurora Avenue and west of Washington Street to the city in 1936.

In addition to Naperville Central High School, the land houses Knoch Park, Naper Settlement, Naperville Sportsman's Club, community garden plots, Naperville Cemetery and part of the Edward Hospital campus.

In light of District 203's desire to renovate or rebuild Naperville Central, the groups came together last fall to determine if the whole plot could be reconfigured.

Houseal Lavigne joined the discussions in February and interviewed all stakeholders for their input before drafting the concept plans it will present next week.

School Superintendent Alan Leis said reconfiguring the land does not necessarily mean Central will be rebuilt and he wants to see a variety of possibilities.

"What we'll be looking to see is what the thoughts are for a scenario in which we would renovate Central or a second scenario, rebuild Central, and what options they see for the entities around those major areas," he said.

Only the property stakeholders will take part in the workshop discussion but the final concept or concepts likely will be available for formal public review in October.