The Danville City Council has decided that its time to examine the Adams Building to see if it can be saved before it’s too late. The downtown structure has been vacant since 2016 and is deteriorating. Community Development Administrator Logan Cronk says a study will examine if the building can develop a commercial use.
The agreement would cost the city more than 38 thousand dollars. Some aldermen felt the city was taking a risk and could spend money and get nothing in return. Others felt investing in the building would generate revenue in the future. City Engineer Sam Cole said he feels Adams Building is worth saving
The mayor says at some point taxpayers money will be needed for the building, so it is wise to look at fixing it. The city currently has liens on the property.
The council also okayed changing some of the allocations in the COVID relief money plan. The 500 thousand dollar allocation for the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation was dropped. Mayor Williams says SIHF still plans to build a clinic at the old St. Elizabeth Hospital site, but it was not ready to meet the time deadlines of ARPA funding.
The money now will be split with 275 thousand dollars going to the Palmer Arena for a new HVAC system. 170 thousand dollars would be allocated to Garfield Park Improvements. And more than 50 thousand dollars will go toward the purchase of a pumper truck for the fire department.
