ELKHORN, Wis. — The former Lakeland School in Elkhorn has crumbled away since students moved out in 2008. Neighbors and city leaders are now fed up with the lack of progress from out-of-state developers.
The school building is boarded up and the walls have graffiti on several spots. Former Lakeland music teacher Elaine Sellenheim walks past her old school every day and worries that people will try to break in the building.
"It's pretty disappointing, honestly," Sellenheim said. "It's an eyesore, and I think it's dangerous. It makes me sad when I walk by here."
Elkhorn City Council decided to issue an ultimatum to the current owners, Daqian Wang and CIC US Holdings, who are based in New York City. They pressured the owners to submit a plan for redevelopment by February 25 or risk consequences.
Watch: Elkhorn neighbors, politicians upset with former school left abandoned for 18 years
Elkhorn Mayor Tim Shiroda tells TMJ4 the owners did send their plan for the site by the deadline, but remains skeptical the owners will put any money into the property.
"We've just been down this road so many times that we feel like they're stringing us along again," Shiroda said.
If the developers continue to neglect the former school, Shiroda said Elkhorn does have one option remaining.
"Just speaking for myself, there's condemnation and an order to have the building taken down," Shiroda said.
Part of the building, including Sellenheim's former music classroom, was already demolished. She wants to see the rest of the building change as soon as possible.
"I hope that the city will use everything in its power to get something done," Sellenheim said.
The former school's owners submitted a plan to renovate the building into a senior care center. Elkhorn's Plan Commission will look over their proposal during their meeting on March 19.
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