PARTNERSHlPS

PARK DISTRICTS, FOREST PRESERVES AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS WORKING TOGETHER WITH CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES

A House Divided for Good Reason

A joint agreement defines how to share a facility, including shared costs, common area usage and problem-solving

BY ARNIE BIONDO AND JANE HODGKINSON

Partnerships create opportunities that might not otherwise exist. Such was the case when the Carol Stream Park District and the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA), located in Chicago's western suburbs, found that by sharing their resources, they could each gain needed facility space that neither could afford on their own.

In 1993, WDSRA began a search for new administrative offices. It had outgrown the space used in a building owned by the Glen Ellyn Park District, one of the association's members. The WDSRA board then faced several difficult choices and ultimately determined that the new office would not be leased; the association would either build on a member's land or purchase existing property.

Similarly, in 1995 the Carol Stream Park District was searching for property to house its rapidly growing pre-school program, which had been provided in three different rental spaces or rented church locations. When Carol Stream Park District joined WDSRA in 1996, the associations search for space expanded to include Carol Stream. And, that fall, an office building in Carol Stream was located and the idea to share quarters was born.

By combining resources, a property that neither organization could afford on their own became a potential site. Both found that their basic building needs were similar. Each wanted floor space, minimum remodeling, ample parking, a kitchen, plenty of storage and a convenient location for customers. The building also had two separate entrances, two parking areas and two bathroom areas.

The WDSRA board agreed to enter into negotiations with the Carol Stream Park District for the purpose of working out details for the joint purchase. Since the district had no referendum bonding authority, alternate revenue source bonds were chosen as a means to finance the project, because they do not count against debt limit. Harris Bank and Chapman & Cutler Attorneys organized the effort, and with the help of attorneys Scott Day and John Wyeth, an intergovernmental agreement was developed.

The agreement spelled out the payment responsibilities. This was a key element because the park district needed a guaranteed revenue source for bond repayment, and the revenue from pre-school and WDSRA would provide that source. The agreement also describes the sharing of building costs, common areas and a method to resolve potential differences.

With the agreement signed, the association moved into its new offices in June of 1997 and the park district began pre-school in September that same year. WDSRA occupies two-thirds of the building, the park district has one-third. The two staffs share the common meeting room, kitchen and office equipment. Alterations to the building added dividing walls that separate the pre-school from WDSRA.

Benefits of this Partnership

• Carol Stream pre-schoolers have four new pre-school rooms available at one location, versus three different locations. And, subsequently, supervision of the pre-school is much easier.

• Carol Stream has reduced its overhead costs by purchasing a building with WDSRA rather than leasing a number of locations.

• The building location provides more visibility for the park district than its other facilities, adding public awareness to its offerings.

• The joint agency sign in front of the building has been used for all types of public messages.

• The Carol Stream Park District board and community have gained another facility for public meetings.

• WDSRA has doubled attendance in association programs by Carol Stream residents because of the convenience.

• WDSRA has secured office and storage space to meet its current and future needs.

• WDSRA partner communities have gained an asset with no increase to their tax contribution to the association.

• The association customers have a permanent, accessible office capable of meeting future growth needs. •

ARNIE BIONDO is the director of the Caret Stream Park District.

JANE HODGKINSON is the executive director of the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.

January/February 1999 /11