SHIMER SQUARE
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    • Preliminary Wait List Submission Form
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    • Interest Form- Childcare
    • Job Interest Form
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  • Residential Development

About Shimer Square

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About Shimer Square

​Shimer College is rich with history, originally incorporated as a female-governed Mount Carroll Seminary in Mt. Carroll in 1853.  The College evolved and closed its campus in Mt. Carroll in 1979, sending a ripple effect and leaving leaders grappling with what to do next. Fearing the dissolution of the campus as a whole and the negative impact on the local economy, a group of citizens joined to purchase the campus and find a new purpose for it.  They successfully kept the campus intact. Many years and many attempted efforts were made to keep the campus alive, until finally, all the buildings were abandoned and left vacant, with plans to give the deteriorating campus to the City.

In 2018,
 citizens joined together for the sake of their historic asset in search of a community-minded partner to preserve and revitalize its community anchor with shared vision to restore the campus’ natural beauty, capitalize on community pride, and bring the campus back to life. 

By invitation, Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH), a 501(c)3 non-profit development organization, conducted a site visit, met with community stakeholders, and then received unanimous approval by its Board of Directors to acquire and create a comprehensive redevelopment plan to entirely revitalize this established footprint of 17-buildings within a 14-acre campus. GROWTH took title in December 2018 and then went to work to develop a comprehensive, multi-year development plan aimed to preserve,  revitalize, and adaptively reuse the vacant buildings into a mixed-use campus filled with quality housing options, businesses, and access to resources. 
 

In May 2019, by community ballot and ultimately a coin toss by the Mayor, the campus was renamed Shimer Square, signifying the official kick off for the multi-year, multi-phase redevelopment work throughout a series of phases. Since then, GROWTH has been working diligently behind the scenes to raise the necessary capital and structure complex financing to close on its various redevelopment efforts. 

In 2023, construction officially commenced as GROWTH deployed its $1.5 million Rebuild Illinois grant toward the preservation and enhancement of key areas, including the Sawyer House, front entry gate, infrastructure improvements, and laying the groundwork for future redevelopment at Hathaway Hall. Behind-the-scenes efforts persisted to finalize structures and initiate construction for 51 units of rental housing, a $32 million investment supported by nine layers of complex financing. 

Furthermore, a feasibility study was completed, affirming the viability of a childcare development center on campus. Leveraging the $800,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, GROWTH advanced plans to secure an operator, with finalization expected in early 2024.

As 2024 unfolds, these efforts will come to fruition, bringing the vision to life and welcoming new residents and community amenities in 2025.

GROWTH's redevelopment of Shimer Square is a cornerstone in advancing numerous strategies outlined in local, regional, and state planning objectives. Our efforts not only stimulate economic growth but will contribute to the increasing the development of the region's workforce, creating jobs, housing opportunities, bolstering economic vitality and ensuring its continued vibrancy and growth.
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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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Equal Opportunity Provider. 
Fair Housing/ Equal Opportunity Statements:
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. Policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.


Declaraciones sobre Vivienda Justa/Oportunidad Igualitaria:
Estamos comprometidos con la letra y el espíritu de la política de EE. UU. para lograr la igualdad de oportunidades de vivienda en toda la nación. Fomentamos y apoyamos un programa de publicidad y marketing afirmativo en el que no haya barreras para obtener vivienda debido a raza, color, religión, sexo, discapacidad, estado familiar u origen nacional.
Information throughout this website is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. ​
  • HOME
    • ABOUT >
      • Shimer Square
      • The Developer
      • Frances Shimer Arboretum
      • Northwestern Illinois
      • City of Mount Carroll
      • West Carroll CUSD 314
    • HISTORY
    • Trees at Shimer Square
    • EVENTS
    • Campus Advocate Program
    • Support
  • Apartments
    • Construction Updates
    • Preliminary Wait List Submission Form
  • Childcare Center
    • Interest Form- Childcare
    • Job Interest Form
  • Resource Center
  • Progress Photos
  • Redevelopment Sites
  • Press Releases & Updates
  • CONTACT
  • Residential Development