1/27/2010 12:57:00 AM City accepts bid to raze downtown buildings
Marney Simon Staff writer
Demolition of some of the longest standing buildings in Braidwood should be just around the corner.
On Jan. 26, the Braidwood City Council accepted a bid to remove any asbestos and then demolish the buildings at 214-252 E. Main St.
The winning bidder was Chuck Shane Equipment, LLC from Akron, IN. Public Buildings and Property Commissioner Jim Hutton said the bid for $52,400 was the lowest of six bids submitted to the city by the Tuesday deadline.
Hutton said that the company will give the city 10 days notice before they start any work. Before demolition can begin, the city will also give the Braidwood Area Historical Society (BAHS) the opportunity to go through the 130 year old buildings to salvage any artifacts for their use.
BAHS President Dee deGroh said she hopes the society will be able to snag some good finds.
"There's a few old doors, and we're hoping to... put three doors together and make a room divider," deGroh said. "We're going to attempt to do that."
deGroh said one of the doors they hope to salvage is the front door from the American Legion, which has the American Legion's insignia on it. deGroh said the BAHS is also hoping to salvage a few bricks from the buildings that can eventually be used to surround a flower garden in town. There may also be pieces of the original tin ceiling inside some of the empty shops, but deGroh said that may be difficult to remove.
"Maybe just a piece for framing," deGroh said. "Whatever we can get, we'll take."
deGroh said she has already spoken to the city about plans for the BAHS to enter the buildings and remove some items. She hopes to get in the buildings some time in the next week.
Hutton said the city hoped to see the demolition happen by spring.
In other news before the council:
• City Attorney Carl Buck gave the council notice that he would be coming to the board with an intergovernmental agreement in two weeks.
The agreement will be between the city and Will County to house the county's recycling bin for electronic equipment. The bin had previously been placed at Reed-Custer Intermediate School, but the county said that site was not always accessible during school hours.
The bin will be moved to the municipal lot across from the Braidwood Police Station. Buck said he would present the agreement to the council for approval on Feb. 9.
• The council voted to re-appoint Noreen Brandle to the Police and Fire Board. Brandle will serve a three-year term expiring in January 2013.
• The council approved the appointments of two people to the Police Pension Board. Mayor Sue Grygiel recommended the appointment of Shirley Cooper for a one-year term on the board, and Denise Sinkular to a two-year term. The appointments were made with unanimous consent of the commissioners.
• The council approved the payment of bills in the amount of $88,609.
