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Council signals conditional support for redeveloping Landmark School; preservation and public‑use options raised
Summary
A developer interested in buying and redeveloping the Landmark School presented a plan to convert the building into up to 25 residential apartments while preserving exterior features; council members expressed mixed views and advised the developer to pursue formal bids and coordinate with the Landmark Commission.
A developer who has proposed renovating the historic Landmark School in downtown McHenry told the City Council on July 21 he would preserve the exterior features and explore converting the school into up to 20–25 residential units. Council members gave mixed feedback but generally encouraged the developer to move forward in the formal bid process and to coordinate with city staff and historic‑preservation review.
Developer George Ramchuk of True North said he and his team would retain the school’s external appearance, repair tuckpointing, preserve the bell and keep many windows and exterior details intact. Ramchuk said his plan could include 20–25 small, high‑finish units and two parking spaces per unit; he noted the project would require significant investment to renovate the building and that some proposals could be less feasible than others.
Council members emphasized the building’s role as a community landmark. Several aldermen said they prefer a public or community use for the school if feasible — including one who said he would support conversion to a community center — but acknowledged that revenue‑generating uses are often necessary to fund costly renovations on large historic structures. Ross (city staff) told the council the school district was accepting bids and that any rezoning or change of use would require the standard planning and zoning review process and a certificate of appropriateness from the Landmark Commission for exterior changes.
Opinions among aldermen ranged from supportive of continued discussions to opposed to residential use. One alderman said many residents would be “quite upset” if the landmark were converted solely to apartments because of the building’s iconic status; another said downtown apartments are in demand and expressed support if the developer preserved the building’s integrity and worked with the city on the riverwalk connection.
The council did not vote on zoning or sale terms. Several aldermen signaled willingness to continue conversations and to review any formal bid or application the developer submits. City staff noted that formal approval steps would include the Planning & Zoning Commission, a council vote and Landmark Commission review for any exterior modifications.
