Society wants site for history center

Future plans are building for a new history campus in Des Plaines.

Des Plaines Historical Society officials have turned to a former board member, who submitted plans this week for a new home for the history center.

While there is no land yet for a new history center to triple the society's space, property is being eyed near the McDonald's museum on Lee Street just north of downtown.

Together, the two buildings would create a campus highlighting Des Plaines' history, officials said.

The society wants to increase its space to 30,000 square feet from 9,060 square feet.

It currently uses an old bank downtown on Pearson Street.

"It would be a dream come true for us. We could finally have something that would really celebrate the history of Des Plaines," said John Burke, historical society president.

Ironically, a building with historical significance likely would be demolished to make way for the project.

A motel at 374 Lee St., which was the first hospital in the Northwest suburbs, likely would be torn down to make way for the new history center, Burke said. It's located in a tax increment financing district.

The new building could also feature environmental aspects, such as a green roof.

There are no estimates yet on how much it would cost. Burke said grant money would help fund the project.

The project also could win public money, as the city is in full support.

Mayor Tony Arredia has touted the plan to create a history campus as a way to complement his riverwalk plan.

Arredia said he plans to meet soon with McDonald's officials to come to an agreement on the history campus idea.

"We're going to try to get this thing going," he said.

Arredia's riverwalk project to extend a bicycle trail along the Des Plaines River and improve horse trails and boat docks got a boost from the Levee 50 flood control project, which included a bicycle trail.