What's Wrong With River Forest?

So you're one of the few towns in the entire country with a hugely significant cache of historically and architecturally significant buildings from the Prairie School. How do you manage this amazing cultural resource? How about tear them down or place them in danger of being torn down? Sound crazy?

May I introduce you to River Forest, IL.

River Forest—along with its neighbor Oak Park, represents one of the largest concentrations of Prairie School (and specifically Frank Lloyd Wright) buildings in the country. However, their preservation laws are some of the weakest in the state and significant buildings have been lost and are on the endangered list as a result.

Case in point is the River Forest Bank Building, designed by William Drummond in 1912. As featured on the Landmarks Illinois Preservation Council's website:

Although no plans have been made public to date, the Oak Park-based developer that purchased the property has stated that “anything’s an option.” Local preservationists fear the building will be demolished for a new condominium development. The building is included in the River Forest National Register Historic District, which means preservation incentives could be utilized to renovate and re-use the building. However, National Register designation provides no protection for the property and River Forest’s newly adopted local preservation ordinance requires owner consent for landmark designation and protection. The new ordinance was dubbed “The Weakest Law” by Oak Park’s Wednesday Journal (July 18, 2007).

I drove by this impressive building today and there are several store front windows papered over and empty. This is an ominous sign, indeed. Let's hope that River Forest realizes the treasures they have in their midst and learn to utilize them instead of lose them.

If any of our readers lives in River Forest and would like to shed a little more light on the subject, please let me know.

Photo copyright Landmarks Illinois Preservation Council