Neighbors Question LTHS Sale Of Willow Springs Land

LA GRANGE, IL – Two neighbors are questioning Lyons Township High School's plan to sell its wooded property in Willow Springs.

Bids were opened Wednesday.

The 70-acre property in question is southwest of 79th Street and Willow Springs Road. The school bought it in two phases six decades ago, with the plan for a future campus.

The two neighbors' houses on Howard Avenue are next to the school's land. On Monday, they relayed their concerns to the school board.

Resident Fred Whiting, who has lived there for nearly four decades, said it would be irresponsible for the school to sell the land without being involved in what would go there.

He said either commercial development or high-density housing would create problems for the "very rural, quiet neighborhood."

Such developments, he said, would cause more traffic, noise, light pollution and threats to children's safety.

Whiting said the school should involve other government entities in the planning.

"I suggest they all work together to maintain the community that we have invested our lives in," he said.

2005 was the last time the school seriously considered selling the property, a process that involved a year-long study and public meetings, he said. The school decided against selling.

The other resident, Sue Goby, said that at $55 million, the property is priced out of the Cook County Forest Preserve District's range.

"It's not just a profit motive. (The school) should be looking toward the public good," Goby said. "It should be looking toward educational values. The property is full of wildlife. It seems a real shame that once it's gone, it's gone."

She asked whether the school board considered tailoring its bidding process for more public-minded purchasers.

Board President Kari Dillon said the board listens to public comments, but does not respond immediately.

The school's minimum sale price for the land is $55 million. Officials said they want to use the proceeds to improve school buildings.

The land was purchased during a time of quickly rising enrollment. Over the last four decades, though, enrollment has stabilized.

The school announced its interest in selling the property in late November.