May Whitney demolition set

Plans are under way to demolish the former May Whitney Elementary School building in Lake Zurich on July 20, officials said.

Once the debris is removed, the area will be backfilled and grass seed planted and it will be maintained as open space, officials said.

Preparations for the demolition have begun.

“Fencing had been installed around the school June 23, abatement permitting and notification has begun, and they’re currently working on relocating fiber optic cables underneath the building which will take four to five weeks,” said Jean Malek, Lake Zurich Unit District 95’s director of communications and community relations.

In addition, the abatement of asbestos in the abandoned building is scheduled for July 11.

The former school building was closed in August 2007 due to the presence of asbestos and mold following heavy storms that year.

A farewell ceremony for the school was organized in early June with parents, teachers, and students in attendance. They snapped pictures with the school’s mascot in front of the old building.

Following the building demolition, the playground near the school will be redesigned because of its age and equipment, officials said. No changes will be made to the nearby baseball field.