Progress Photos

5/9/2025: The Early Childhood Development Center at Shimer Square is nearing completion. Exterior siding is finished, interior drywall and taping are nearly complete, and plumbing and MEP work are well underway. Painting and flooring are next in line. The project is on track for completion in early July, with an operator to be announced soon.
3/25/2025: Dezendorf Hall is the furthest along, with new windows installed along the stairwells. This building features a mix of spacious three-bedroom, two-bath units and one-bedroom floor plans. Built with solid concrete construction, the top floor boasts impressive cathedral ceilings. Each unit includes either a balcony or patio, offering outdoor space for residents. While new windows have been installed throughout Dezendorf, the windows in McKee/Hostetter Hall are undergoing full restoration to preserve their historic character. Completion is still tracking for late summer/ early fall.
3/25/2025: Work at McKee/Hostetter Hall is progressing from top to bottom, with units at various stages of completion. Some are already receiving interior paint, while others are in the drywall, taping, and framing phases. Construction will continue following this top-down approach. Notably, the former kitchen and mezzanine (which connects the buildings), are being transformed into unique loft apartments featuring both upstairs and downstairs living spaces—a glimpse into the distinctive floor plans this development offers. Completion is still tracking for late summer/ early fall.
3/25/2025: Exterior siding, interior insulation, drywall all underway at the Early Childcare Development Center. Operator discussions continue. Construction completion is aimed at June 2025, with Operator receiving keys in July to begin equipping the center for operations. Operations will commence only after DCFS and Fire Marshall approves center to open.  
3/11/2025: Early Childcare Development Center- Interior framing is complete, with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work nearing completion and drywall going up. Exterior siding is expected to begin the mid-March 2025. Completion is on track for July, pending favorable weather conditions. A licensed operator will hire and begin operations with more information on that forthcoming.
1/30/2025: Early Childcare Development Center- Interior framing is complete, with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work underway. Exterior windows are set for installation by February 5, 2025. Completion is on track for mid-summer, pending favorable weather conditions.
1/22/2025: Construction is over 50% complete. At Dezendorf, drywall installation is underway alongside patio doors, with new windows installed throughout. At McKee/Hostetter, insulation is being added to the top floors, restored windows are being reinstalled in their original locations, and framing work continues.
12/13/2024: The construction of the Early Childhood Development Center is making great strides, with trusses up and sheeting going up on the framing now moving ahead. 
11/26/2024: Trusses are now being installed at the Early Childhood Development Center showcasing the footprint of this new construction effort. Opening in 2025, this project is more than construction—it’s about workforce development and creating a true live-work, mixed-use campus that helps to build stronger families and a stronger community for years to come.
11/18/2024: . The walls are up, and trusses are next at the Early Childhood Development Center, where jobs will soon be created and families will have access to quality, convenient childcare. Schedule is on target for a summer 2025 completion.
10/24/2024: Construction is progressing smoothly on the Early Childcare Development Center. This week, site work, grading, and foundation excavation will be completed, along with preparation of the building pad and parking area. Next week, underground mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations will begin, followed by foundation wall pours. In the coming weeks, we’ll see walls go up and trusses installed. We've been fortunate with favorable weather and hope it continues to keep construction moving forward before winter sets in.
6/8/2024: Interior photos showcasing the ongoing revitalization of Dezendorf Hall. These buildings, along with McKee and Hostetter Halls, will offer a total of 51 rental apartments, including studios, and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. Construction is underway, with anticipated move-in dates in 2025. A preliminary waitlist is open, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their information. 
5/20/2024: Interior photos showcasing the ongoing revitalization of McKee and Hostetter Halls. These buildings, along with Dezendorf Hall, will offer a total of 51 rental apartments, including studios, and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. Construction is underway, with anticipated move-in dates in 2025. A preliminary waitlist is open, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their information. 
4/16/2024: New sidewalks and parking lot in front of the Sawyer House, soon to be Resource Center, made possible by GROWTH's Rebuild Illinois grant. This center will offer essential services like property management assistance for residents living at Shimer Square, provide HUD-approved housing counseling and financial literacy by HUD-certified housing counselors. Economic Growth Corporation has served as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency since 2003.The Resource Center will also have dedicated co-work spaces for working parents with children at the Early Childhood Development Center, and providing crucial lending support for start-ups and small businesses through Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation, a certified CDFI. Due to active construction, the Resource Center will formally open to the public in 2025 when the apartments are nearing completion.
4/1/2024:The abatement process has been completed, indicating the start of demolition work inside Dezendorf Hall as of April 1, 2024. This signifies a notable advancement in the building's redevelopment. Crews will proceed with demolishing interior, non-historic walls and salvaging materials for re-use whenever feasible. The demolition is part of the $33.4 million rehabilitation and redevelopment of the McKee/Hostetter and Dezendorf Halls. 
Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based development organization and the developer of Shimer Square. At GROWTH, we’re driven by a commitment to honor Shimer Square’s history with the respect it deserves. Our work represents years of dedication, countless hours, and tireless efforts from a passionate, mission-driven team. The total overall investment at Shimer Square will exceed $37 million resulting in at least a 1988.24% increase in tax base in 2025: creating and supporting 260 jobs, along with 51 new housing units, marking the first new construction multifamily development in Carroll County in over 2 decades, along with creating vital childcare openings, and a Resource Center within a previously vacant, underutilized historic campus. Every step forward is a nod to the past and a bridge to the future. 
​Until further notice, due to active construction, the Shimer Square campus located at 203 Seminary Street, Mount Carroll, IL is closed to the general public.
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