LTHS Goes With Same Appraiser For Willow Springs Land

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School is going with the same appraiser it did nearly two years ago for its Willow Springs property.

In spring 2022, the school board secretly hired William Enright of Hinsdale-based Appraisal Associates to assess its 75 acres for industrial uses only.

When that came to light eight months later, it enraged residents, particularly in Willow Springs, because the property was long zoned for residential and small retailing uses.

On Feb. 6, Enright sent a letter acknowledging the school's latest request. This time, the school is seeking Enright's services to appraise the property for its zoned uses. For $4,000, Enright said he could finish his report in three weeks.

Patch obtained the letter through a public records request.

Last year, Patch was unable to find any documentation indicating what the school board requested of Enright.

In his 55-page report in May 2022, Enright said, "While rezoning to allow industrial use may be possible, there is no assurance that the community would support this use."

Behind closed doors, the board's lawyer urged members to go forward with selling to an industrial buyer. He suggested the board could press the village to change its zoning.

In no uncertain terms, village officials said they would not do so. The board abandoned the effort last March.

In the 2022 appraisal, Enright said the property was worth $68 million, but his appraisal was for a slightly larger parcel.

Patch left a message for comment with Enright on Wednesday.

School officials hope to use the proceeds from the land to pay for improvements to both campuses.