District 58 to Seek Bids for Pierce Downer Addition

The school district is planning a $1.2 million addition to the space-challenged elementary school that would add three classrooms and upgrade existing areas.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 is moving forward with a $1.2 million addition to Pierce Downer Elementary School. The District 58 school board voted unanimously Monday to authorize its architect, Wight and Co., to solicit formal bids for the project, which includes a three-classroom addition on the northeast side of the building and modifications for additional small instructional spaces. The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million, which would be covered by available fund balances. Officials hope to begin construction in May and finish by early fall—possibly September. Pierce Downer, 1436 Grant St., has been the subject of much debate this year as district officials grapple with severe space constraints—an issue also …

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Tony Cesare: The Secrets, History and Mystery in 'Hidden Downers Grove'

Looking for our fragments of history

I saw the first firefly of the summer. I was digging into the cooler for another beer when I caught a quick glimpse of his tiny green butt leaving a phosphorescent streak along the garden’s edge. I’ve always been good at noticing the little details in the background, which my wife defines as “you never pay attention” but I define as “looking past the obvious”. Not surprisingly, she didn’t notice the little guy. Also not surprising is that I couldn’t find another beer. Even as a kid I had a habit of looking past the obvious. In the summer my parents would take us to KiddieLand (sadly closed for good in 2009 because the world desperately needed another Costco) almost every weekend. It was a working man’s Disneyworld built opposite a gritty …

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Mark Thoman

4:23 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012

"Lake Carpenter" resurfaces infrequently now that the street and sewer were redone a couple years ago.   more ›