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Triton plans $1,700,000 land purchase_ By AUDREY ROSENTriton College has found a 51,780,W8 “bargain” — in a 15-acre parcel of land across from its campus oa Fifth Avenue Itt Elver Grove.The colleges Board of Trustees mcd at their May IZ meeting to authorize contract negotiations tor the landpurchase to begin. Dr. Brent Knight, acting president of the college, said the Illinois Community College Board(ICCB would have to approve the idea, but foresaw no opposition to the purchase plan.“We feel that it’s a bargain,”Knight said. ‘‘I don’t think we can afford not to buy it.”He explained that classroom shortages, parking problems, traffic tie-ups and a lack of “green space” tor outdoor activities were all reasons Triton needed extra land.“We have an obligation to respond to the demands of the communityWe re serving,” said Knight The Triton board has been considering various alternative solutions for several months, in private.The 14.x acres, formerly the site of “GolfJand,” a driving range, putting course and go-cart track, has frontage on both Fifth Avenue lt;664 feet) and First Avenue (80 feet).A performing arts building with classrooms, two academic classroombuildings, a women's softball field and over 680 extra puking spices would be included on the new land.No cost estimates or projected completion dates have been released an the buildings, since (dans for them can only be made alter the land has been bought.The availability of state and college funds for construction will also determine when the buildings will go up.Traffic congestion on Fifth Avenue between Triton and North Avenue, one factor that determined the decision, will reportedly be partly alleviated by the purchase of the 80-foot strip for a road to First Avenue. The access road runs from the rear of the proposed parking lot, parallel to Sunset Stables, and through to First Avenue.Triton will pay for the land over a 10-year period, with 29 per cent down and the balance in 10 equal installments at 6 per cent interest with the option to pay off in full with no penalty.The land is the only parcel of undeveloped property bordering the present campus. Industrial, residential and Forest Preserve property form Triton’s other boundaries,Knight emphasized that all statistics on the land purchase were approximate. and that costs could varyslightly. The price, however, to considered “well within the guidelines” of Triton's budget, he said, and was verified by three separate appraisers and the college attorneys.“This to not something we’ve decided to do in « short lime,” said Board Chairman Robert Collins. “We’ve talked about it for several months.’There was the possibility that it could have been soW to someone else, and the land would have been gone to the college forever,” he added. “Even in these days of « tight economic situation, it would be in the worst judgment of any board to pass up the opportunity to acquire vacant land.”Buildings currently on the property — a vehicle repair facility, office and snack bar, plus outdoor lights and parking space — will possibly be used by Triton once the land is bought, for temporary classrooms and the storage and repair of college-owned vehicles.“They will be razed when the new building plan to implemented,” said Richard France tic, vice-president for business at Triton. “The lights could be used in the parking lot, or In Ute athletic field.”Trustee Pat Naples, who originally brought the land to the board’s attention when alternatives for growth were first being discussed, abstainedState director fightsfordisclosuresBy JOHN CANNON The Illinois Director of Financial Institutions has requested the Illinois Attorney General’s office to take action in a court suit which has temporarily halted full enforcement of the Financial Institutions Act of 1975.A T. Tsoumas, the director, made the request of Atty. Gen, WilliamScott last week. According to a spokesman tor the attorney general’s office, an appeal to a downstate judge’s ruling on an anti-redlining law should have been filed late last week or early this week.Judge John Wright of the Circuit Court of Sangamon County enjoined Tsoumas in an April 22 ruling from collection of home mortgage disclosure information from federally chartered savings and loans and hanks.The request by Tsoumas came only a few days after he had been approached by members of two community action groups. On Friday, May 7, Tsoumas* office was visited by representatives of the Northwest Austin Council (NAC) and the MetropolitanArea Hotisini? Alliance ifMAMAlruling to seek only six month reports from state chartered financial institutions.Judge Wright made the injunction ruling in the anti-redlining case in response to a suit brought against Tsoumas by finance industry interests. Tsoumas, as director of the Department of Finacial Institutions, is being sued by the Glen Ellyn Savings and Loan Association, the Illinois Savings and Loan League, the Millikan National Bank of Decatur and the Illinois Bankers Association.Paul Bargiel, of the attorney general’s office, commented that it would be “hard! to say” what the appeal to the injunction will consist of at this time. He explained that a hearing In the case would probably be scheduled in one to two weeks.After the litigations in the suit have been completed, Bargiel said that it was probable that the side receiving the adverse decision in the casewould file an appeal to the ruling.Commenting on his appeal request, Tsoumas said ‘The law dearly re-April 22, the date the injunction was ordered.Tsoumas said that he did not take any action during that time because he was advised by an assistant attorney general not to. Thomas Price, the assistant attorney general, was later filed when it was disclosed that he had not passed the Illinois bar exami-niatfomCAP representative Joyce Zick, who was one of the persons who visited Tsoumas, said that CAP would continue to “watch them (state officials) like hawks” to make sure that laws are strictly enforced.Alan Amato, of NAC, said that the pressure brought to bear on Tsoumas and the attorney general’s office by NAC and MAHA “undoubtedly” had something to do with the quick response by both offices.“We’ll certainly keep on pushing to make sure that the law Is lived up to. This is a law that community groups have fought very hard for, and we’re not about to let it get watered down, Amato continued.atfa ii ■ pnrKtt twkih Ia/IamI ex-nitfrom voting on the plan“The people who own the land are neighbors of mine,” he said. “There ate some dose family ties between us. It’s out of good conscience that I abstain.”Naples said that no conflict of Interest existed in the matter. Collins approved his actions, saying that Naples was “probably correct” in abstaining.All of the trustees spoke in favor of the purchase plan. Trustee Pat Pavi* iti was especially eloquent in his praise of the idea, commending previous board members for their “foresight” (Pavini was elected to the board April 10).“I consider myself deeply privileged to be a part of this,” he added, comparing Triton’s growth to the growth of universities during the Renaissance. “This could be the cause of a renaissance of the entire (Triton) district.”Map shows planned Triton College expansion.“1 think this will be the best choice for the college as a whole,” said Trustee Paul Schafer.“We’d be remiss in our responsibilities as trustees not to lake advantage of purchasing this land,” added Trus-tee Fran Sullivan, who moved for adoption of “v* purchase resolution.It was passed unanimously (Pavini amended his “yes” vote with “veryproudly.”)Knight said the contract will probably be finalized soon, after the ICCB grants its approval.Hie college will make payments on the land through a loan to the Site and Construction Fund from the general operating fund, Triton’s main budget. The loan will probably be repaid through bond sales, which mustbe approved by referendum.In other business at the meeting:— Boar) members debated the necessity of Triton subsidizing equipment purchases for student athletes, and football players in particular. The issue was brought up after the presentation of a purchasing schedule including football equipment.Trustees Sullivan and George McGee sr voted against the purchase, questioning if students who paid activity fees to the college knew how their money was being spent.■The athletes should purchase their own equipment, or at least part of it,” McGee contended.Schafer, a former Triton student, responded that “when I was a student, I knew what the money was going for.” He said that “we must recognize the need for” students involved in athletic programs, and that for students who entered on athletic scholarships, “this is one way for them to achieve.”The equipment purchases were approved by the board.
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News Journal
Chicago, Illinois, US
Wed, May 19, 1976
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IL, USA 18 May 2020
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