GENEVA – A dozen neighbors of Coultrap Elementary School say they plan to seek historical landmark designation for the school, at 1113 Peyton St., to buy time before Geneva School District 304 officials decide whether to demolish the building.

Martha Paschke, a neighbor to the school, said the major concern is that officials are rushing the decision, which she said risks their not making the best financial choice for the district.

“It’s not being done at all for sentimental reasons – ‘We love this old building.’ That is not our reaction at all. It is to buy time to make sure a good decision is being made,” Paschke said. “Demolition will cost $870,000, they say, and they’re saying they would create ‘green space,’ so it’s going to be closer to $1 million.