Since the 1980s, the Greene Farm barn has been left vacant, but recent interest in developing the property could bring it back to life.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is looking for feedback from the public on how to best use the 19th-century barn sitting on the corner of Hobson and Greene roads.
“So the board is very open to seeing what the public has to say, and you take it one step at a time. If nobody shows up, if nobody really cares, then that’s an answer. But if a lot of people show up and there’s interest and there’s partnerships that can be developed, as well as internal forest preserve review of its wishes, then anything is possible,” said Mary Lou Wehrli, a commissioner for the forest preserve.
After the 14,000 square foot barn underwent a $1 million stabilization in 2016, the forest preserve didn’t have enough funds to renovate the rest.
But now, the timing is right to start brainstorming ideas for the barn’s potential. If there’s enough interest from the public, Wehrli says a committee could be formed to move the project along.
The Greene Farm barn open house will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. inside the barn. Information gathered from the open house will be reported to the forest preserve board by October.
Naperville News 17’s Christine Lena reports.
