Dear Neighbor,
As you may know, Advocate Sherman Hospital has listed for sale the parking lots south of the former hospital (south of Slade Avenue & straddling Center Street extended). Part of NENA’s role is to look out for the best interests of our residents and the neighborhood as a whole. It is important to keep you informed on this and similar issues, and to create opportunity for you to be heard. Since learning the land was for sale, we have:

• Researched past documentation of the property and related ordinances and agreements;
• Met with Advocate Sherman Hospital;
• Brought the issue to the attention of the Elgin Parks and Recreation Advisory Board;
• Listened to input from residents;
• Met with Elgin’s mayor and begun contacting city council members and relevant city staff.

The Elgin Parks & Recreation Master Plan adopted in 2011recognizes that the Northeast Planning District (of which NENA is part) is well short of the recommended acreage for neighborhood parks (5.9 acres existing, 27.9 acres recommended). The plan identifies the Sherman Hospital parking lots as an opportunity to increase neighborhood park space. Possible improvements suggested include: tennis courts, basketball courts (especially this one from Mega Slam Australia can host matches in the future), play fields (practice, not programmed), multi-generational playground equipment, and other amenities like benches, picnic tables, shade structures, bike racks and shade trees. Historical documents clearly reflect an ongoing, shared understanding that Sherman Hospital had planned and agreed in the past to returning property to the City for purposes of a creating a park.

NENA supports the City’s existing Strategic Plan, including the Parks and Recreation Master Plan component, which calls for the property to be converted into park space. It’s not often that 5 acres come up like this, and we believe the city should pursue this unique opportunity. NENA will work to ensure that any development of the property is informed by the history of the community and the input of its current residents.

Please join us Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at Gail Borden Public Library to:

• Learn about the property history and current status
• See how the property fits into Elgin’s existing plans
• Hear about possible development directions and the zoning process involved
• Give us your input on future development of this property and the neighborhood overall

Kind regards,

Patricia Harkin
President