A proposal is in place to demolish the Jackson Square Antique Mall and the 100+ year old building it resides in for the sake of erecting condominiums. | change.org
A proposal is in place to demolish the Jackson Square Antique Mall and the 100+ year old building it resides in for the sake of erecting condominiums. | change.org
A historic building in La Grange's district, known for its classic facade and housing an antique mall, faces demolition to make way for a new condominium project. In response, about 2,000 residents have signed a petition urging the Village Board to reconsider the plan. Kimberly Rodey from La Grange expressed concern over losing Jackson Square, stating it would harm preservation efforts.
Landmarks Illinois, a local preservation non-profit, highlighted the project's impact in 2019. They warned that demolishing the Jackson Square building would be "irreversible" and urged officials to consider adaptive-reuse options. The organization emphasized that the building's unique Art Deco style and terra cotta ornamentation could not be replicated.
Petitioners are asking the La Grange Board of Trustees and planning commission to delay any decisions until a full historic-reuse study is conducted. They also suggest rejecting or modifying the project to preserve the building's facade and prioritize adaptive reuse with professional guidance.
One petitioner at a previous meeting expressed concern about maintaining the village's unique character: "This village has always been unique and beautiful. I don’t want it to become a cookie-cutter town with the same houses and apartment buildings."
The La Grange Village Board is scheduled to meet on October 27. Citizens interested in supporting the cause can sign the petition on Change.org.
Information from this article can be found here.
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