This time on Fixer Upper: Controversy over ‘Old Traughber’ development continues

Oswego continues to grow with a population of over 35,000 people, and as new developments are being built along Wolf’s Crossing and along Route 34, more pressure is added to the area’s infrastructure.

One such site is the former Traughber Junior High School, locally known as “Old Traughber,” which has been used as the Oswego 308 Center, YMCA, and Senior Center. It has earned a lot of attention recently as it was sold by SD308 and is to be demolished and replaced with a residential development.

JM Development initially proposed the development to the Village Planning and Zoning Commission Sept 4. After the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended not to approve the plan, JM Development revised it and proposed it to the Village Board of Trustees on Oct. 21, where it was unanimously approved.

Despite attempts, we were not able to reach anyone from the Planning and Zoning Commission or the school district’s Technology Department for on-record comment by press time.

The decision to move forward with the housing development has caused controversy within the village of Oswego, primarily over increased traffic and already-aging infrastructure, as well as concern about altering Oswego history and the desire to preserve it.

Economic benefits

Let’s be honest: Money makes the world go ‘round, and the school district needs more of it.

While the development is unpopular, the alternative was to let the building further deteriorate and miss out on a significant financial benefit.

“After trying to sell the property for over a decade, the district issued a formal… Request For Proposals and received only one response,” Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman said in an interview via email.

Beyond missing the opportunity for more money, keeping the site was actively diverting money that could have been going into the community.

“Demolishing the building alone would have cost several million, [and it cost] taxpayers about $250,000 per year to minimally maintain,” Kauffman said.

All of that cost was to keep an already damaged building being used mainly as a storage unit by SD308, sitting empty with the lights and HVAC systems constantly running. The change will not only avoid those maintenance costs and give the school district the money from the sale, but will continue benefitting the community.

“[The development will generate]more than $2.4 million in impact and water fees and an estimated $700,000 per year in property tax revenue, which goes to the TIF [district],” said Kauffman in regards to the new development. “Plus, once complete, there is the boost to economic activity from new residents shopping/supporting local businesses.”

Residents’ concerns

The village has looked at the sale of the property as more of an economic opportunity, while residents fear additional traffic, overcrowding of schools, and pressure on the overall infrastructure.

“[The development] definitely has potential to increase foot … and vehicle traffic, so I’m pretty worried about accidents in the neighborhood,” said Casey. “But, you know, there’s a lot of room over there, and I hope it opens up off of Route 71.”

A traffic study will be conducted when more details are finalized, and if there are significant issues the Village will require the plan to be changed, according to Kauffman. It should also be considered that it was, at one point, the middle school, and the traffic from students, teachers, and buses didn’t overwhelm the neighborhood then.

However, there are multiple buildings (seen below) also sitting empty in Oswego about which residents also voice their concerns regarding when they will be occupied or leased to new businesses, or when the now-multiple new housing developments will finally be finished.

Student volunteers for the Kendall County Food Pantry also cite concerns as the KCFP often uses the building to distribute food to residents.

“This is going to affect me, mainly, because the Kendall County Food Pantry runs a mobile pantry there, where I volunteer once a month to provide aid to the residents of the town,” said OH junior Zaydrian Vital in an interview. “I felt that the sale of Old Traughber was a money grab for the Village … because it is very evident through several neighboring town sentiments that they “Don’t want to be the next Oswego” as their own town faces the same crisis of rapid development.”

Still, many people are reluctant to part with a building that has been part of the community for so long.

“I think it’s kind of a shame that the building’s going to go. I wish they could find a use for it,” Casey said.

People have suggested repurposing the building for something else as they have done before, but the high costs to remodel and repair structural issues with the building have prevented another reuse.

Recycling the building for other recreational uses has been attempted, such as using it as the Senior Center or YMCA, but fell through as the building’s structural stability continued to decline.

Other anonymous residents cite concerns regarding the particulates and dust put into the local air from demolishing the building and beginning new construction, as kids tend to play in the nearby areas.

The bottom line

“I believe thoughtful reinvestment is better for the community than continued decline,” Kauffman said.

While a residential development may not be what people hoped for on the site, it will ultimately be a benefit.

The revenue generated from the property taxes (“nearly $700,000/year,” according to Kauffman) will go to the TIF district and goes directly to the village, which would help pay for revitalizing the surrounding area and further developing the infrastructure after the development is built. While there may be more people relying on the existing framework, the revenue means it will ultimately allow the infrastructure to improve.

Oswego is already in need of costly upgrades to its aging framework, as residents note on social media groups for our town (pictured below). In addition, residents often advertise for things such as snow removal or road salt, which are services that the village wants to upgrade, provided that they have the funds to do so.

“[Old] Traughber isn’t just a building, it’s part of Oswego’s shared history. When something that meaningful changes, people understandably care deeply,” Kauffman said.

According to Kauffman, the development will feature a commemorative plaque, and the name Traughber Estates, to honor the site’s history and the community’s connection to it.

Growth and change are going to happen, whether people want it to or not. Although people may mourn the history and worry over the complications, it’s important not to ignore the benefits that come with them.