Two years ago, voters in Washington District 52 barely defeated a $20 million referendum to build a new Lincoln Grade School on the Washington Middle School campus on North Main Street.
The measure failed by just 68 votes (853-785).
The district tried again this year, this time with a $23 million referendum that was $3 million higher than the previous version because of inflation and a more detailed design of a new Lincoln with more square footage than previously estimated.
Voters in the two-school district approved the referendum Tuesday 1,438 to 872, or 62% to 38%.
That was quite a turnaround from the 2023 vote.
Why did that happen? District 52 Superintendent Pat Minasian has a few ideas.
At the forefront, he said, was more robust communication with the public that included a larger social media presence, school day tours of the current Lincoln, increased presentations at community and government meetings, and a video with students.
The more detailed design of what the new Lincoln will look like also played a role, Minasian said.
"That showed the public that we were prepared to hit the ground running if the referendum passed," he said.
"We have so much gratitude that the voters passed the referendum. It's going to be bittersweet when we move out of the current Lincoln and move into the new building. There are so many memories there. But this is great for our district."
The current Lincoln was built in 1949.
There have been additions, renovations and many repairs since then, but the building at 303 Jackson St., continues to age, has out-of-date and inefficient infrastructure, and isn't suitable for today's education needs. About 400 K-4 students are enrolled there this school year.
The new Lincoln is scheduled to open in time for the 2027-28 school year on the 32-acre middle school campus. The new school will be an estimated 65,000 square feet compared to the current Lincoln's 56,050 square feet.
With the passage of the referendum, District 52 residents will pay more property taxes to the district. For example, those who have a home valued at $200,000 will pay an additional $25 per month for 25 years, based on current market interest rates.
PCM+Design of Peoria is doing the architectural work for the new Lincoln. Chris Tyra, co-owner of Morton-based Midwest Construction Professionals, will provide construction management.
So what will happen to the current Lincoln when it closes?
The Washington Park District is "very interested" in purchasing the building, said Executive Director Brian Tibbs, especially because of its proximity to several Park District properties.
"Now that the 'what if' has been removed from the future of the building, we're excited about exploring our options," he said.
If the Park District purchases the current Lincoln, the Park District's current building in the former Washington Middle School at 105 S. Spruce St., will be closed, Tibbs said.
A sale of the property or demolition would most likely follow the closure.
"We feel we've given our current building 20 or so years of a good second life," Tibbs said. "But it's getting old."
