What Should Happen to Trumbull Elementary School?

Nearly 50 buildings are sitting empty Monday for the first day of school. Those Chicago Public Schools buildings were filled with children last year, but in May, were on a list of "underutilized" schools slated to shutter in the fall. 

Injunctions and protests failed to keep the schools from closing, and now city officials are left to find a purpose for the shuttered buildings. 

Thursday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed a committee to recommend the best use for the spaces. Emanuel asked the group to prepare a solution before the empty buildings attract criminals and graffiti artists.

Parents and teachers balked at the possibility of charters moving into the shuttered schools. But CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennet promised multiple times that would not be an option. 

Wilbur Milhouse of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. is heading the group that includes developers, two alderman and representatives from CPS and other city organizations. 

Urban gardens, theaters or mixed-use loft space were initial ideas thrown out by the chairman. 

“The city of Chicago has an opportunity to use these facilities to revitalize our economy in key areas and expand opportunity for Chicagoans in our neighborhoods,” Emanuel said in a statement. “I look forward to reviewing the recommendations after the committee’s extensive community input process and careful consideration of what is best for our future.”

The 13-person committee plans to have its first meeting after Labor Day. 

Committee members include: 

• Wilbur Milhouse (Chair), Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. 
• Andy Mooney, Department of Housing and Economic Development 
• Shirley Calahan, Calahan Family Foundation 
• Ricardo Estrada, Metropolitan Family Services 
• Jim Capraro, former Director of Greater Southwest Development Corporation
• Linda Goodman, Goodman Williams Group 
• Tom Tyrell, Chicago Public Schools 
• Raul Raymundo, Resurrection Project 
• Susana Vasquez, Local Initiatives Support Corporation 
• Julia Stasch, MacArthur Foundation 
• Bernita Johnson, Quad Community Development Corporation
• Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th) 
• Ald. Rey Colon (35th)

Read more:

• CPS Overestimates Cost to Keep Trumbull Open
• Trumbull Community Fights Closure With Passion, Facts
• Residents Grill O'Connor on Neighborhood School Closures