District considers $1.2 million purchase of Meier Engineering building for transportation and CTE use

District staff presented a purchase agreement to acquire the Meier Engineering building (listed with a purchase price of $1,200,000) in Winthrop Harbor for near-term relocation of transportation operations while the district's transportation center is renovated, and for longer-term use as potential alternative-learning and CTE space.

Staff said due diligence steps were underway, including appraisal, land survey and a phase-1 environmental study. They noted the property sits in Winthrop Harbor (not the City of Zion), which staff said could simplify occupancy needs. A walkthrough was scheduled for Friday at 09:00 and staff listed district participants who would attend.

A motion to approve the presented purchase agreement was made (motion by Mr. Benitez; second by Ms. Champine) and board members asked clarifying questions about contingencies and equipment needs. The packet and discussion emphasized that executing an agreement does not obligate the district to buy the property if due diligence uncovers issues.

The meeting record in the provided transcript ends after questions and the motion; no final board vote on the purchase appears in the included excerpts.