District 200 waits for redevelopment plan

Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 officials say they are willing to wait "as long as it takes" for the city to decide the fate of the former Hubble Middle School property.

In the meantime, the district won't sell the 22-acre parcel in downtown Wheaton.

The declaration this week by school board members allows a steering committee to continue its efforts to recommend a redevelopment plan for the property at Naperville and Roosevelt roads. Until now, panel members had been stalled on the issue of how soon District 200 wants to sell the land.

"We want the process to continue to get the vision from the steering committee as to what they want that gateway property to look like someday," school board President Andy Johnson said. "Then we can offer it to developers to purchase based on what the city says it will allow to be built there."

Still, there is one factor that has officials hoping the site could be sold sooner rather than later.

District 200 must spend about $300,000 a year to keep the building in minimal operational shape.

"It's a big building and it's an energy hog," Johnson said. "It has to be kept at a certain temperature - even though there is nobody in there - just to keep the fire alarm system working properly."

City Councilman John Prendiville said no date has been set for when the steering committee will meet next.

"I think we need to have our final meeting and vote on a recommendation," said Prendiville, who serves on the panel. "Hopefully, that will occur in the very near future."

Prendiville said the big obstacle is that there "is not a market for anything" right now. He said it could be several years before a developer steps forward to buy the property.

"I think it is going to be hard to sell," Prendiville said. "The economy is not going to help for the foreseeable future."

Some have suggested District 200 should consider possible a land swap with Wheaton Park District, which has been using the former school's three gymnasiums and outdoor ball fields for sports programs.

Johnson said the problem with that idea is the school board already has promised to sell the property. The proceeds would then go to pay down the highest interest bonds the district currently holds.