Brainerd to get national designation

Supporters of a plan to convert the shuttered Brainerd building to a community center in Libertyville recently received a prestigious boost.

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council has recommended the former Libertyville High School, built in 1916, be included on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation includes the adjoining Jackson Gym, completed in 1929.

Though it does not afford specific protection from demolition, the designation is considered an honor in preservation circles. It also is expected to give the Brainerd Community Center Foundation an ace for fundraising efforts, which have been criticized for a lack of progress.

"It gives you recognition the building is worthy of saving," said Bob Peron, a Libertyville village trustee and foundation board member, who has been active in the community center plan for years.

The sites advisory council recommendation needs concurrence of the head of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency but that is considered a formality. The recommendation then goes to the Keeper of the National Register at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"There'd be no reason to disagree," said David Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. That process takes a few months, he said.

There are about 80,000 National Register listings in the U.S., gauged on a uniform set of standards.

"These criteria recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to the history and heritage of the United States and are designed to help state and local governments, federal agencies and others identify important historic and archeological properties worthy of preservation and of consideration in planning and development decisions," according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The designation has been years in the process. In 2004, the state agency determined that Brainerd and the Jackson Gym were locally significant and good candidates for National Register listing.

Brainerd, the former Libertyville High School, is a good example of Collegiate Gothic and Georgian Colonial Revival architecture, the state agency reported at the time.

The buildings at Route 176 and Brainerd Avenue are owned by Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128, which battled for years with the village concerning their disposition.

The village has a long-term lease agreement for the property but has less than four years to show that sufficient funds can be raised to pursue what could be a $15 million project.

Mayor Jeff Harger in December blasted the foundation for dragging its feet on fundraising.

The Brainerd building would be the sixth in Libertyville to have the designation, including the David Adler Cultural Center, Cook Mansion, Harris Bank, Newcastle Hotel and Adler's mother's residence.