Fort Sheridan a priority for forest board

Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners say one of the panel's top priorities for 2009 should be deciding what to do with the dormant plans for a golf course at the Fort Sheridan preserve near Highland Park.

The board, which saw more than a quarter of its members replaced in last month's election, isn't wasting any time taking up the controversial topic. It will review the matter at a special meeting Jan. 30.

"This is the start of the conversation," forest district Executive Director Tom Hahn said.

The panel has two choices: build a new golf course, as required under a compact with the U.S. Army, the former owner of the land; or come up with a different use for the property.

Both options are problematic. Some officials say this isn't the right time to spend millions of dollars to build a new golf course because of the poor economy and a national decline in golf play. However, not building a course would violate the Army deal and surely anger residents at nearby Town of Fort Sheridan, who say they were promised a course when they bought their homes.

"It's a terrible place for us to be," said veteran forest commissioner Carol Calabresa, a Libertyville Republican. "And I think it's very painful for the entire board."

The forest district acquired the 259-acre Fort Sheridan preserve in stages from the Army starting in the 1990s. The property contained a golf course, among other features, and a caveat of the deal said a course would have to remain on site in perpetuity.

The forest board had developed plans to build a high-end layout with a clubhouse and other amenities, but in 2004 officials quashed the designs when cost estimates came in millions of dollars over budget.

But by that time, officials had already closed and torn up the existing course.

Although the board shot down the golf proposal, the master plan for the preserve still includes a course.

The situation was aggravated by a legal battle over construction debris left on the land by developers of the neighboring Town of Fort Sheridan. That suit finally was settled in August and the debris has been removed.

The board's indecision also has been bolstered by the economy. The golf industry has been hit hard in recent years, with play down and courses closing across the country.

The forest district hasn't been immune. Although the district's three courses recorded profits this past fiscal year, play was down, district Finance Director Bonnie McLeod said.

Ralph Pfaff, president of a Fort Sheridan homeowners association and a strong advocate for a golf course, doesn't think the economy should be a factor in the decision.

"The county entered into a contract with the Army. There were no strings attached," Pfaff said. "The economy is a red herring. They struck a deal."

Pfaff believes the forest board should take some of the $185 million raised by a recent referendum and spend it on a new course.

"Are they really willing to break the contract?" he said. "Their honor is at stake."

The forest board's attorney has said the agency could get out of the deal if the Army agrees to remove the stipulation. Officials have not yet made such a request.

Forest board member Michelle Feldman believes the panel should review all possible choices before deciding Fort Sheridan's future. Options could include a full 18-hole course, a nine-hole course or turning the site into a wildlife habitat, she said.

"Everything should be on the table," said Feldman, a Deerfield Democrat recently elected to her first term.

Other commissioners have publicly stated preferences to do away with golf at Fort Sheridan or build a new course.

Diane Hewitt is among the commissioners who've said the board must stand by its deal with the Army.

"They acquired that property with certain conditions, and they accepted those conditions at that time," said Hewitt, a newly elected Waukegan Democrat. "I believe people should stick to their word and abide by agreements they make."

Conversely, Gurnee Republican Steve Carlson said he doesn't think the Army cares whether golf is available at the former base or not.

Calabresa is undecided. She said she wants to go into discussions with an open mind, gather advice from the forest district staff and hear from the board's six new members.

"It is such a complicated issue," Calabresa said.

Hahn will talk to the board about the history of Fort Sheridan and the golf course discussions at the Jan. 30 meeting, set for 9 a.m. at the Greenbelt Cultural Center near North Chicago. Additionally, a consultant will talk about the golf business in the U.S. and possible options for a course at Fort Sheridan.

Regardless of what decision the board eventually makes, Commissioner Melinda Bush wants the panel to act promptly and not allow the decision to be delayed further.

After all, forest district leaders said resolving the Fort Sheridan problem should be a priority as far back as 2004.

"This is a political football, and I guess that's why it hasn't been touched," said Bush, a newly elected Grayslake Democrat. "But I think it is something we have to deal with."