SchoolStreet Brings Higher Standards in Green Building

A U.S. Department of Energy Challenge Home is under construction on School Street.

The success story of the 26-home development on School Street has been unfolding over the past two years in Libertyville. Developer John McLinden and his team have transformed the street into an urban, walkable community where front porches hug the sidewalks and residents are connected to their neighborhood. Now, SchoolStreet, where energy efficiency has been part of every home’s design, is taking green building to the next level by building a U.S. Department of Energy Challenge Home. The Challenge “You’ve got to be an ENERGY STAR 3.0 just to be talking about it,” McLinden says of the energy rating a home needs to have to be considered for the Challenge Home project. “We’re cranking it up in a big way. This is the future of housing.” “In a…

• Photos (4)

Village Approves Parking Garage on School Street

The new garage provides additional parking for School Street development.

The Village Board unanimously approved an amendment Tuesday that would allow a developer to build a two-story parking garage adjacent to the Central School building on School Street. John McLinden, owner of StreetScape Development, is currently converting the school building into 15 condominium units. The new parking structure will add 18 more resident and visitor parking spaces to the development. In early July, McLinden went before the Plan Commission, where commission members unanimously recommended approval of the new parking deck. More related article: Video: Sneak Peak at School Street

• Photos (1)

StreetScape Developers Propose Two-Story Parking Deck

Plans proceed for "new urbanism" style project.

John McLinden, owner of StreetScape Development, came before the Plan Commission on Monday night to ask for an adjustment to the parking area adjacent to the Central School building on School Street. McLinden's company is rehabbing the school to create 15 condominiums. The project includes 26 single-family homes built to reflect a “new urbanism” style. The original plans were finalized and approved by the Village Board in October, but McLinden asked to change the parking lot into a deck with two floors to better accommodate residents. Parking would change from only 21 exterior spaces to 20 exterior and 18 interior spaces. Two handicapped spots would be included. The end result might be only 34 spaces, depending on the length and slope of …

• Photos (1)

Final Tour of Central School Before Condo Conversion

Alumni of Central School will have the chance to tour the halls before the property is converted into condominiums.

Built in 1939, Central School is fondly remembered by generations of Libertyville residents. The school will be remodeled into loft-style condominiums this summer as part of the School Street development.  The fond farewell will include a reunion held at Mickey Finns on June 18 from 1-4 p.m. The reunion is open to all alumni and will feature tours of the building.  When the building was built, the school board sealed a time capsule in the south east corner of the building. If construction crews can find the exact location, the time capsule will be opened as a grand finale. For more information, or to connect with lost friends, go to the reunions Facebook page, or email CentralSchoolReunion@hotmail.com

• Videos (1)

Tidbits From Libertyville

No More Pencils, No More Books

A history of Central School.

The original Central School opened just west of its current location on School Street in 1887. Thirteen years later, with the population growing rapidly, an addition was constructed. At that time, Central School was one of the finest educational facilities in the county, dwarfing many of the areas small one-room schoolhouses. In 1900, Central School children were expected to use pencils and paper tablets as opposed to the country schools that still utilized slates. Also, students were to provide their own textbooks, which could be purchased at Lovell's Drug Store.  In addition to the advancements in supplies, Central School offered a superior educational program. At a 1960 meeting of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society, presenter…

• Photos (5)