Oppose renovation of Libertyville school

There is an old school on Brainerd Avenue in Libertyville, opened in 1916, which has been empty since Vernon Hills High School opened.

When my daughters attended that school 20 years ago, it was in need of new windows, a new roof, and plumbing replacement. None of those things were ever accomplished, and I believe no maintenance of any kind has been done since the buildings became vacant 12 years ago.

The school and gym is owned by High School District 128 and is leased to the Village of Libertyville, which subleases it to a group called Brainerd Community Center, which wants to renovate it.

Estimates of the renovation costs are up to $15 million. For what purposes it would then be used is anybody’s guess.

It would generate little or no revenue to pay for operating expenses and maintenance. Libertyville already has a much smaller community center which is underutilized.

The village trustees apparently support the renovation group. Their problem is there is no money to do it, and a $250,000 lease payment is due in July.

Additional $50,000 per year lease payments would be due for the next 50 years. By then, the buildings would be 145 years old.

I have been told that if the village defaults on the lease and District 128 terminates it, the village would have to pay for demolition, not the owners. That would cost Libertyville taxpayers millions more. Of course the school district thinks this is a splendid arrangement, but why would anyone in Libertyville acquiesce to those terms?

We need to get out of this deal right now. Anybody running for Libertyville trustee in next month’s election who supports this terrible plan must be defeated.

Joe Shewmon

Libertyville