First Step With Elmhurst School 'Eyesore'

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst school officials plan to take the first step in dealing with what has been labeled an "eyesore" at Bryan Middle School.

This summer, Elmhurst School District 205 is set to remove bushes and the fence surrounding the school's gravel parking lot.

The lot is at the northeast corner of Bryan Street and Butterfield Road.

Todd Schmidt, the district's facilities director, said this summer's work would "clean it up."

Then, he said, the district would see where it's at and present more options for improvements.

Board member Courtenae Trautmann referred to the area as an "eyesore," as have other board members.

"I applaud the cleaning up of it, but think (residents) deserve more," Trautmann said. "I'm interested in hearing what our next step is going to be."

Last week, the board's finance committee was presented with four options for the parking lot, ranging from $25,000 to $225,000.

The most expensive option includes paving 30 spaces and adding drainage.

The second costliest option, $200,000, would involve converting the lot to greenspace and adding drainage.