Judge rules against new trial for Indian Prairie

[d204mom]

Judge rules against new trial for Indian Prairie
By Amy Boerema | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 1/8/2008 1:11 PM
A circuit judge on Tuesday denied Indian Prairie Unit District 204's request for a new trial to debate the value of what's known as the Brach-Brodie property.

School leaders wanted to buy 55 acres at the site, off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora, to built their third high school, Metea Valley.

The district, which covers parts of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, already owns 25 acres there.

But landowners and the district were unable to agree on a price for the larger parcel.

A jury in September ruled the site was worth $31 million - $17 million more than the district anticipated.

The board said it couldn't afford the price and requested a new trial.

DuPage Circuit Judge Robert Kilander on Tuesday denied the request, saying he was "comfortable" with the jury's decision.

"If we made errors, then that's my fault," he said.

The district has 30 days to appeal. Officials will discuss their next step at Monday's meeting. They're also considering several other sites.

"I don't think either of the court's rulings were unexpected," school district attorney Rick Petesch said after the decision.

[d204mom]

The Sun's version, short and sweet:

New: No new trial for Brach-Brodie land

January 8, 2008
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer
Indian Prairie School District 204 will not get a new price for the Brach-Brodie property.

DuPage County judge Robert Kilander denied a motion today by Indian Prairie School District 204 for a new trial on the condemnation lawsuit. The district has 30 days to appeal the final decision and/or abandon its right to the land.

» Click to enlarge image An artist's rendering of the planned Metea Valley High School.

(Courtesy of Indian Prairie School District 204)

The district was seeking the 55 acres of property along 75th Street and the future extension of Commons Drive in Aurora to build a third high school. In September, a jury determined the land would cost $31 million, more than twice what the district wanted to pay.

The school board has been meeting in executive session during the last several months and is considering three other parcels for the 3,000-seat high school.

[proschool]

What about the motion on the damage to the remainder?

Did he rule on BB's request for damage to the remainder if the SD walks away?

[d204mom]

Good questions - hope they are answered in the paper tomorrow.

Don't know what :
"I don't think either of the court's rulings were unexpected," school district attorney Rick Petesch said after the decision.
means.

One ruling was to dismiss our request for a new trial. The other ruling was......?

[wvhsparent]

Once there were 4.....now there are 3......