Bulldozer drivers, start your engines: Tear Down Church School
September 10th, 2009 at 04:42pm Chuck Sweeny
NOW THAT THE CITY has learned the state of Illinois won’t fund two development requests for developments in Rockford, it’s time to ask our state legislators, what did they do to try and get the money? According to City Administrator Jim Ryan, Zion Development Corporation requested about $7 million in affordable housing funds, and an Indiana-based developer asked for $11 million to turn the long-closed Church School into senior apartments with money added for neighborhood improvement.
Ryan said he wants to find out if the state’s decision can be appealed, or if there’s another chance to submit the requests. If not, let’s get out the wrecking ball and tear that sucker down. The city is in foreclosure proceedings against the building’s owner, an outfit called Progressive West Rockford Community Development. The organization, headed by the Rev. Earl Dotson, Sr., says it wants to have a community center in the building, but nothing has been done to achieve that goal. The group doesn’t even mow the grass.
Once foreclosure is certain, and it could be as soon as mid October, the city should hire a wrecking crew and get that disgraceful structure down as soon as possible.
Entry Filed under: church school
3 Comments Add your own
1. Jolly_Roger | September 15th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
You’re not going far enough here. You should advocate that the city also tear down Fairgrounds, Auburn Manor, and Concord. Tear down as mant public housing projects as possible. GIve the residents 30 days notice and a one-way bus ticket back to Chicago, and let the bulldozers roll. Leave the lots vacant and watch crime in those areas drop.
2. arthur meyer | November 13th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
All of us who went to Church School would be glad to see it go. But that was part of our lives.. I went to school there with your older brother I think.. Still remember all the good times and the teachers who made us what we are to day..
Shame on the city to let it get this bad.
3. sheryl48 | November 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am
O my heart be still. Mr. Krieder, Mrs. Hommema, Miss Rudelius (music), phs ed, all the neighborhood kids we grew up with and went thru gradeschool, Wilson Jr. High, Auburn High School, in the 1960’s and late 50’s the memories are endless. Elsie and Pete’s,Royal Blue, donut shop, barber shop, Church’s playground for baseball games, the chutes for fire escapes, we have such wonderful memories, slumber parties, busy signal (phones), Calling the tavern and asking for Pabst Blue Ribbon, hehehe, Diane, Kathy, Michele, Pat,Phyllis,Michele P, Karen, Cathy, Kathy, Kelly, all of us, have memories. WHY put seniors in there tho? Why not something for the kids to do, and keep drugs out and weirdo’s etc. TEll the people who own our old houses now to BUY some paint and get off their butts and PAINT those houses!! DO something, have pride in your neighborhood, until you have pride in yourself and your surroundings, y ou have nothing. I ‘m afraid to drive thru there now. No longer live in Rockford!! But, I do like to visit.
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