Developer has new plans for old school building in East Dundee
By Erin Sauder For The Courier-News August 19, 2012 9:22PM
Updated: September 21, 2012 6:10AM
EAST DUNDEE — A vacant former school building here could soon be the home to three new developments.
Built in the 1960s, the Summit School building at 611 E. Main St., has been empty since 2008 when the school relocated to Elgin.
“It’s really starting to suffer vacancy problems — leaks, dropping ceilings. This was the year we wanted to really try and get something in there,” said Robert Skurla, East Dundee village administrator.
Developer Jim Bergman has proposed buying the 4.28-acre property and splitting it in two. He would sell about 2.5 acres to the adjoining neighborhood, and revamp the existing building for the new Dundee Township offices and community meeting space, a discount grocery store, and as transitional housing for veterans.
“Now we’re working with Jim to put flesh on those bones and see if we can get this done sooner rather later,” Skurla said.
After meeting with representatives from A Safe Haven Foundation, which assists veterans with transitioning from service to civilian life, it was determined the 16 classrooms of the school would be a perfect fit for 16 one-bedroom apartments.
“This would be geared toward veterans in Kane County to stay in while they’re looking to get their first job or they just want to move out of mom’s basement,” Skurla said.
This is the second veterans housing project in as many years that Bergman has proposed for East Dundee. The issue was scheduled to go before the East Dundee Village Board today.
The River Haven project near Routes 25 and 72, which is currently under construction, includes an 80-unit, mid-rise apartment building for low-income seniors, and 68 rental units consisting of detached, single-family homes and duplexes dedicated primarily for veterans and their families. It is located in the 24.3-acre River Haven subdivision. Construction is expected to take about a year.
The East Dundee Plan Commission already has approved changing the zoning of the Summit School parcel in order to allow for Bergman’s proposal.
