Glen Ellyn formally accepts mystery donation

Glen Ellyn village officials formally approved a mystery donation of $200,000 that will help the Glen Ellyn Historical Society retain control of a lot that will ultimately be turned into a history park.

The move at its meeting Monday, combined with an expected payment of $230,000 by the historical society, paves the way for work to begin on the park at 820 N. Main St., just east of Stacy's Tavern.

The new park will contain historic relics that currently are scattered throughout town.

"It's not a large plot, but it is going to make an impact," historical society President Bill Peterson said after the village's unanimous approval of the donation. "We are not going to let the community down."

A second anonymous donation of $250,000 will cover landscaping and setup for the park.

Work is expected to begin soon and is scheduled for completion by late fall, Peterson said.

"It is an example of the cooperative spirit of Glen Ellyn," he said. "That's why we live here. It's a wonderful group of people who live in town that believes in us and wants to allow history to persevere."

Peterson said he knows the identity of the donor, but the donor had asked to be kept anonymous.

Early this month, officials announced the donation as part of a deal to preserve the location, a deal that also included turning over a strip mall at 810-816 N. Main St. - short a 50-foot strip at the back of the property that connects Stacy's Tavern with the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. - to the village.

The historical society also will pay $230,000 and the village will excuse the remaining $56,053 owed on the 820 N. Main St. property.

Also on Monday, village officials said they will negotiate with the village of Lombard to craft an intergovernmental agreement on the Hill Avenue bridge.

A report on several parcels of land near the two towns' boundaries will be attached to the agreement, however, in order to give Glen Ellyn more time to discuss absorbing the properties.