Village of Roscoe ZBA approves design plan for Community Center

At Wednesday's meeting, the Village of Roscoe Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved the  design plan for the Roscoe Township Community Center, which will be built next to the Cross Homestead at Founders Park. Approval was contingent on Roscoe Township submitting a landscaping plan later. Winnebago County will be responsible for inspections and issuing the final permits. The site is at 4562 Hononegah Road at Frances Lane, near the Gardens On Prairie Rose. The 1840s home is visible from the road, but much of the site is screened by trees, which Village Administrator Scott Sanders wants to keep.

Daniel Saavedra, the principal of Saavedra Group Architects, is not only the architect for the Community Center, he's a Roscoe resident. When he talks about the project, he uses the word "we." He told the board that the 3,360 square-foot community center building will be barn-themed, with a weathervane, but not barn-like: "not a red barn." Windows on one end will overlook the historic home. The plan includes a 50-space parking lot. Saavedra said there would be an outdoor summer concert events space (Ravinia style), similar to what Anderson Gardens has done.

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The Natural Land Institute is providing technical assistance and volunteer hours to design and implement 4 or 5 acres of prairie restoration/native plantings. While touring the Cross home on the site, their executive director Kerry Leigh suggested two other grant sources for the restoration of the home. Dawn Cassady said she is still submitting grant applications, having received a $704,000 PARC grant. She is assistant to the Roscoe Township Supervisor, as well as treasurer of the Roscoe Township Historical Society, which is leasing and restoring the home.