Post by EagleDad on Mar 22, 2007 8:10:20 GMT -6
www.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=293417
Dist. 204 edges toward quick-take
House panel OKs plan to speed deal for school
By John Patterson and Melissa Jenco
Daily Herald Staff Writers
Posted Thursday, March 22, 2007
SPRINGFIELD — Indian Prairie Unit District 204’s attempt to speed up a real estate deal for its new high school won initial approval from state lawmakers Wednesday but still faces several hurdles.
State Rep. Joe Dunn, a Naperville Republican, urged his colleagues to endorse the plan Wednesday, saying without quick action by lawmakers the school district would “lose this construction season.”
His proposal would give the district “quick-take” powers to gain immediate access to 55 acres in Aurora earmarked for the proposed Metea Valley High School.
School officials have asked lawmakers for help as they wait for the conclusion of an ongoing condemnation suit for the Brach-Brodie property off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora.
The district plans to construct a $124.7 million, 3,000-student facility on an 80-acre campus that they hope to open in the fall of 2009. The district already owns 25 acres on the site but has been unable to reach an agreement on price for the rest of the land.
“It (quick-take) gives us complete assurance we’ll have the whole building done in the fall of 2009 and not put us in the position of having to do the staged delivery,” said school board member Mark Metzger.
A House committee had already rejected the quick-take proposal twice, but Wednesday nine of 13 committee members gave their approval. The remaining four — all Chicago Democrats — voted “present,” effectively the same as no votes.
“Obviously, we’re very happy,” Metzger said of the victory. “It’s an important positive step forward for us. And there’s still more work to do.”
The plan still needs approval by both the full House and Senate and the governor’s signature before the district can access the land.
But time could be a factor in moving through the General Assembly. The House has until April 27 to approve the plan and send it to the Senate, but lawmakers will be on a two-week break for the first half of the month.
They are then scheduled to end their session May 31 and would not be back until the fall.
If lawmakers do not give the district quick-take powers, it will have to keep construction on hold until a court hearing scheduled for Sept. 17 in which a jury will determine the value of the land.
Dist. 204 edges toward quick-take
House panel OKs plan to speed deal for school
By John Patterson and Melissa Jenco
Daily Herald Staff Writers
Posted Thursday, March 22, 2007
SPRINGFIELD — Indian Prairie Unit District 204’s attempt to speed up a real estate deal for its new high school won initial approval from state lawmakers Wednesday but still faces several hurdles.
State Rep. Joe Dunn, a Naperville Republican, urged his colleagues to endorse the plan Wednesday, saying without quick action by lawmakers the school district would “lose this construction season.”
His proposal would give the district “quick-take” powers to gain immediate access to 55 acres in Aurora earmarked for the proposed Metea Valley High School.
School officials have asked lawmakers for help as they wait for the conclusion of an ongoing condemnation suit for the Brach-Brodie property off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora.
The district plans to construct a $124.7 million, 3,000-student facility on an 80-acre campus that they hope to open in the fall of 2009. The district already owns 25 acres on the site but has been unable to reach an agreement on price for the rest of the land.
“It (quick-take) gives us complete assurance we’ll have the whole building done in the fall of 2009 and not put us in the position of having to do the staged delivery,” said school board member Mark Metzger.
A House committee had already rejected the quick-take proposal twice, but Wednesday nine of 13 committee members gave their approval. The remaining four — all Chicago Democrats — voted “present,” effectively the same as no votes.
“Obviously, we’re very happy,” Metzger said of the victory. “It’s an important positive step forward for us. And there’s still more work to do.”
The plan still needs approval by both the full House and Senate and the governor’s signature before the district can access the land.
But time could be a factor in moving through the General Assembly. The House has until April 27 to approve the plan and send it to the Senate, but lawmakers will be on a two-week break for the first half of the month.
They are then scheduled to end their session May 31 and would not be back until the fall.
If lawmakers do not give the district quick-take powers, it will have to keep construction on hold until a court hearing scheduled for Sept. 17 in which a jury will determine the value of the land.
