Williams Bay - The University of Chicago is saying there is no "Plan B" for the future of Yerkes Observatory.

That doesn't mean there aren't alternatives to the proposed development of the 78-acre property, and Lake Geneva philanthropist and multibillionaire Richard Driehaus wants to provide some of those options

Earlier this summer, the university reached an agreement with Mirbeau Co. that calls for placing a 100-room "retreat" and 72 homes on part of the property.

At an Aug. 3 informational meeting on the proposal, University of Chicago Vice President for Community and Government Affairs Henry Webber said there still is no Plan B if the Mirbeau proposal is denied by the village.

The agreement is contingent on village approval, and Mirbeau and the university haven't applied for developing the land yet.

But the Mirbeau proposal may not be the only option for the village or the property.

On Monday night, Ann Callison, chairperson of the Concerned Taxpayers of Williams Bay, presented a letter from Driehaus that announces his plans for a Yerkes design contest to the Village Board.

"Because I believe Williams Bay should have more options than it is now being given by the University of Chicago for this nationally significant site, I am offering to underwrite a design competition," Driehaus stated.

Village Board President Don Weyhrauch said he wants to look at the possibility of the ideas proposed in Driehaus' letter.

"Is there a possibility this can happen? We don't know. ... It's certainly an interesting letter," he said.

According to the letter, Driehaus wants to invite three prominent architects who have experience with historic sites and have demonstrated "understanding of landscape and context-sensitive urban design."

"Each will be asked to present a concept for the best use of the entire Yerkes site," Driehaus stated. "The architects will begin with a study of the original landscape plans. ... They will then review how the site and adjacent parcels that provide its context have evolved over the past 110 years."

Each presentation would include comments on the past proposals to the university by Mirbeau and Aurora University, which collaborated on its proposal with a local group called "Yerkes 21."

"Finally, they will be asked to present their own recommendations incorporating a continuing role for the observatory as an educational tool, the need for an endowment for the continued maintenance and preservation of the observatory and its original landscaping, and the understanding that the University of Chicago needs revenue from the sale of the site," Driehaus stated.

"Armed with these three alternatives, Williams Bay will have a more thorough understanding of the options for this site and can better evaluate the single option it is being currently given."

Driehaus isn't the only one thinking about alternatives to the Mirbeau proposal.

Yerkes nature preserve?

Last week, the Geneva Lake Conservancy publicized its concept for turning the property into a nature preserve.

On Monday, Conservancy Board Chairman Chuck Ebeling said he told Webber more than one year ago that the university put the cart before the horse by going through Mirbeau and not the community.

"I realize that we're putting the cart before the horse, too ... but the reason we did that is because we feel (village officials) have been given nothing to compare (the Mirbeau proposal) to," Ebeling said.

Both the conservancy and Driehaus are concerned about the Mirbeau proposal and its potential impact on the community and the environment.

"I am concerned that the good people of Williams Bay are being pressured into accepting a plan for the Yerkes Observatory site that will badly compromise this valuable asset for the benefit of others but the detriment of the community," Driehaus stated.

The conservancy proposal asks for preserving the property for public use in a similar vein as the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy property, which the village purchased.

As for the idea of the village buying Yerkes, Weyhrauch said he appreciates the idea, "but we can't afford it."