Starland decision could come within month in Deerfield

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Updated: February 21, 2012 8:19AM

Deerfield village trustees have held a first reading on Starland Creativity Center’s application to expand to the former Cadwell Elementary School and a final vote is expected in the next month.

Starland officials say, if approved, they will be up and running at 445 Pine St. by September.

Trustees held a first reading on Starland’s application Tuesday. The proposed site is nearly three times as big as its present site.

“It is going to turn into a one-stop shop for children’s enrichment,” said Adam More, owner and operator of the Deerfield-based business. “We really needed the land surrounding the building (for outdoor activities).”

The former grade school is being used by the True Way Presbyterian Church, a Korean congregation of more than 100, according to Deacon Henri Sauk. He said the church will continue to use the building on Sundays and Friday nights even while it is under Starland ownership.

“It will be pretty much the same,” Sauk said after Tuesday night’s meeting. “We don’t have the same hours. We’ll try not to schedule a conflict with their programs.”

Starland is housed at an 8,500 square-foot space, with seven rooms, at The Shops of Deerfield Square, 710 Robert York Ave. It has been at the facility for six years, but there were no outside facilities at the shopping center.

In contrast, the creativity center is moving to a 25,000 square-foot building, with 13 rooms and 6.7 acres of land surrounding the building.

“The biggest thing will be the flexibility we will have,” More said after the meeting, noting the present location underwent three renovations in the last six years, but it still wasn’t enough.

More said the building will not need major renovations, but modernization will be done inside. The parking lot will be repaved, roof repairs made and playground equipment will be replaced.

This summer, Starland will have its day camp inside its Shops at Deerfield location, but full operation of the new location would be in effect by September, More said, if approved by the board.

The board is considering an ordinance that envisions about 60 students per hour going through the school. Its day camp would have about 60 learning fashion and art and other disciplines inside, while another 50 students would be outside.

The creativity center teaches academics, art, dance, drama and music, among other disciplines.

Owning the new location will prove more economical, More said, than leasing the present location.

A former options trader on the CBOE, More said he used to play football at the school when he was younger.

The project has faced some opposition. Earlier this month, neighbor Brian Condon said he collected the signatures of 150 neighbors who oppose the move. Several spoke against the proposal, while others offered support.

There was no public comment on the Starland proposal at Tuesday night’s meeting, however.