“One day in late April 2024, I saw a “Public Hearing” sign on the lawn of 292 S. Arlington, right across the street from my home. My heart sank! Not again, I thought, not another tear down of a beautifully kept old home.

Having grown up in Elmhurst, I had watched for many years  as the neighborhood changed from unique and charming older homes with big yards and mature trees turn to new enormous homes engulfing the majority of green space on their lots.

If there was something, anything I could do, time was of the essence. I started knocking on neighbors’ doors to see if anyone else cared that this perfect example of a well kept and loved 1928 Colonial Revival was in danger of being torn down.

One of the doors I knocked on was Jim and Linda Schuetz. They also lived in a lovely old home a couple doors away and were just as distraught over the danger of 292 being lost to the wrecking ball like so many others. Many people were also concerned about their own homes being torn down when sold.

Jim Schuetz was a super organizer and quickly helped rally more support from Elmhurst residents, along with other great ideas. We were grateful to find that many other neighbors also had their gifts and talents to offer.

I started an online change.org petition to try and bring awareness to the situation. The next step was attending the Department of Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on May 7th as a united front and voicing our concerns.

By distributing flyers and yard signs we started to get positive responses to our movement. We had numerous meetings with neighbors and Aldermen trying to come up with solutions.

We knew saving 292 was a long shot, but this was the tipping point. We were committed to wake up City Hall and the residents of Elmhurst to be responsible stewards of our historic and unique town.”