Revitalizing a park mansion - Pleasant Home, Oak Park, Illinois - includes related information

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 1993 by John Hedges

A gradual program was established by which each group will take over an increasing share of the costs of operating and maintaining Pleasant Home over the next several years, while .the park district's share is diminished.

In the first year, through June 30, 1993, the park district will pay all of the operating costs and maintenance, as it has in the past--but each year thereafter the park district's obligation is reduced. For the next year, through June 30, 1994, each group is responsible for 12.5 percent of the total cost, with the park district paying the remaining 75 percent. In the next year, through June 30, 1995, each group will pay 25 percent, and the park district will pay the remaining half. In the following year, through June 30, 1996, each organization will pay 37.5 percent of the total operating costs, leaving only 25 percent as the park district's share.

After July 1, 1996, and during any renewals of the leases, each group will be responsible for 50 percent of the costs, and the park district will not have any financial responsibility for operations and maintenance.

This carefully wrought, systematic solution meets the needs of both groups and their many community supporters. Each organization is allowed to pursue its goals in and for the house, and each is required to work cooperatively with with other to ensure a harmonious occupation.

At some point, if the restoration proceeds according to the foundation's plans, the historical society will need to relocate to other quarters, but it will have had a considerable period of time in which to raise funds and identify a new location. There will be no rushed moves and no surprises.

Working with the community to forge these clear agreements has provided some frustration but a greater portion of satisfaction for park district staff and commissioners. We have avoided a public relations fiasco in relation to moving the historical society, and at the same time found a way for the foundation to pursue its architectural restoration plans. And, perhaps most important, we have mainrained the integrity of our lovely old home without continually draining the limited resources of our taxpayer base.

We expect to fine-tune the leases and to work closely with our new official "tenants" in the coming years as we reap the benefits of our "landlord" status. It's an innovative solution that is working for us, and it could work for your "old house," too.