this article first appeared in the Chicago Tribune

Old courthouse plans start to come into focus
By Robert Sanchez Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted 5/22/2004

Perhaps someone can make a ruling on this one.

National-Louis University officials say they have struck a deal with a limited liability corporation to sell the school's campus in downtown Wheaton.

The university has been housed in the old DuPage County Courthouse.

As a result, the historic courthouse could be redeveloped into condominiums.

But Friday, the companies tied to Courthouse Land Development LLC repeatedly denied any knowledge of an agreement with National-Louis.

"All I could say is we don't have a contract," said Court Airhart of Airhart Construction. "I have not seen a signed contract. I won't comment until I have a contract."

Just minutes later, Chris Anderson, a National-Louis spokesman, said a contract for the 172,500-square-foot campus on Reber Street was signed on Thursday.

"It's under contract," Anderson said. "It doesn't close for another 180 days."

Anderson even said the contract lists Airhart Construction and Focus Development Inc. as partners in the joint venture.

Still, a representative for Northfield-based Focus Development insisted that no documents have been signed.

Wheaton city officials said they met last week with Airhart Construction and Focus Development representatives and have seen "extremely preliminary" conceptual plans. The developers must work with the city to secure proper zoning for the 5.6-acre site.

The proposed development would be a mixture of condominiums and townhouses, City Manager Don Rose said. It also would preserve the old red limestone courthouse, which was built in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The courthouse and adjacent former state's attorney building, which dates back to 1938, both would be converted into condominium buildings, according to Jim Kozik, the city's director of planning and economic development.

An addition to the courthouse that housed the county jail would be torn down to make room for new condominium buildings. A row of new townhouses also would be erected.

"It was an interesting looking development," Kozik said.

There is no timeframe for when formal plans would be submitted to the city.

"It's a fairly complex project, so I would imagine it will be sometime before we see plans," Kozik said.

Rose said the significance of the project is that it maintains the courthouse. The building ranks among Wheaton's most significant landmarks, both for its history and architectural significance.

DuPage County leaders abandoned the old courthouse in favor of a $52 million complex on along County Farm Road on Wheaton's west side. National-Louis acquired the old courthouse in 1992 for $3.1 million. Its buildings were renovated and reopened the following year.

Now National-Louis officials say they are "weeks away" from announcing two sites in DuPage County to replace the Wheaton campus.

"We will have something very soon," Anderson said. "We are staying in the area and are committed to DuPage County and the Western suburbs."