Library's Cetron Purchase Could Have Domino Effect

The Geneva Library District's purchase of the former Cetron building on Richards Street could be the first note in a long-term medley of musical chairs for iconic buildings in Geneva's historic downtown business district.

The Library Board voted 6-1 in late July to purchase the 2.25-acre Cetron property for $2 million. The next steps will be a due diligence process to determine the site's environmental fitness and a Sept. 23 public hearing at the library.

Though the sale of the Cetron property might not be completed for several months, news that the library might be moving could put in motion a number of development scenarios for the existing library site.

"The big caveat is how soon we're going to be out of here," Library Director Matt Teske said. "But that could unleash a whole bunch of changes if it worked out for everyone."

Several years ago, Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra—who is also a former Library Board leader and former chairman of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee—floated an idea many called the "downtown shuffle."

In a nutshell, the idea was that the library would move to the former Sixth Street School building, which is owned by Kane County and serves as the Office of the Regional Superintendent of Education. The city would move its administrative and planning offices into the library, and City Hall would be converted into a community center.

Library Board President Esther Barclay hopes a similar scenario might still be on the table.

"I can't speak for the city, but that plan has always been in the back of some of our minds, " Barclay said. "I would hope they might show some interest.

"I think the city is excited about our going to Cetron," she added. "The staff has been wonderful—very enthusiastic and supportive."

The catch, as always, is dollars and sense. The Library Board probably will demolish the Cetron building and will need to pass a referendum to construct a new library. In a down economy, it would be difficult for the city or any other government body to purchase and renovate the present library building.

"There was talk that possibly City Hall could take it," Teske said. "Unfortunately, the city's been hurting for money, as sales tax revenue has dropped. But that was a possibility at one time."

City Development Director Dick Untch said a prospective tenant for the library building probably would be a single user and that the building's most likely future use would be office space, but he declined to speculate on whether the City Council might take action to acquire the building, which is next door to City Hall.

"I think the plan right now is for City Hall to stay where it is," he said.

Untch did note, however, that there is a "ripple effect" with real estate transfers that can stimulate action and creative solutions.

"There are a number of government properties and facilities that are downtown—the county, the city, the library, the post office," he said. "The future use of these properties presents, I think, some questions, because the various units of local government have expressed a need to move or expand or relocate."