Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:08 PM CST
Charleston council OKs TIF grant
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — The City Council awarded a $47,545 tax increment financing grant Tuesday to help rehabilitate an uptown building that might have otherwise been demolished.
The council also heard a resident’s call for the city to be actively involved in planning for the replacement of Eastern Illinois University’s steam plant. In addition, the council placed on file concept plans for the development of 50 single-family rental houses on the east side. More information on the meeting will be in Thursday’s paper.
Regarding the TIF grant, the funding will help property owner and construction contractor Ed Carter rehabilitate the single-story building at 720 Jackson Ave., off the southeast corner of the courthouse square.
“The building was essentially about ready to collapse in on itself,” said Mayor John Inyart. “Since I have been in office (for nearly four years), the building has been a source of concern and complaints.”
The long-vacant building, formerly a coin shop, sits between the Sewing Salon and Spence’s on Jackson. Inyart said if the city had torn down the building, the costs of demolishing it and repairing the adjacent walls would have surpassed the cost of the TIF grant. He added this would have left a gap in the block.
“It’s making the whole block structurally stable again. I think this is money well spent,” Inyart said.
During an interview earlier Tuesday, Carter said he and his crews went to work more than two weeks ago rehabilitating the entire building. He said storm water had been leaking in for some time via a rooftop air conditioning unit. He said this water rotted through large sections of the roof, ceiling joists and floor.
“It actually rotted 2-by-12s in half. That is how long the water had been pouring into the building,” Carter said, adding he has been replacing the rotted materials.
Carter said if a building is still halfway intact, he can bring it back to functional shape. Carter said he plans to restore the historic look of the front façade and bring the structure up to modern building code standards. He hopes to offer the single-story building for rent in the spring, possibly as a law office or store.
Regarding EIU’s steam plant, the council heard a brief presentation from resident Charles White.
At recent public meetings, White voiced concerns about the proposed new site for the steam plant along Illinois Route 130 north of Edgar Drive decreasing the property value of nearby single-family homes. He developed the nearby Fields subdivision and lives there.
White noted EIU officials announced Tuesday that they have put plans for the proposed Renewable Energy Center on hold due to the tightening of the credit market. He also noted EIU President William Perry has announced he will form an advisory group, including community members, regarding the steam plant and related issues.
The city should get involved in this group and represent residents’ interests in regard to planning for the new location for the steam plant, White said.
“We have it postponed for now, so the door is open to you,” White said.
In other matters, the council placed the concept plans for Ridge Estates on file for public inspection until a vote at the Dec. 2 council meeting.
RichSmith Development of Little Rock, Ark., has proposed developing 50 housing lots as well as an office-clubhouse building on 17.28 acres east of the University Village student rental area. Inyart said the lots would include single-family homes containing three or four bedrooms.
Once the preliminary plans are approved, the final plans for Ridge Estates will need to go before the Charleston zoning board and ultimately the council for approval.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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