Historic Preservation: 'We're Almost Walking' Atkins Tells Du Quoin Council
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Historic Preservation Commission members Aaron Atkins and Gene Gross Monday calmed any fears that historic preservation in downtown Du Quoin constitutes entrapment.
Instead, "It is valuable to keep Main Street as intact as we can," Gross told the council. Gross--a partner in the Reed, Heller, Mansfield & Gross law firm--is housed in either the most historic or one of the most historic buildings in downtown Du Quoin. His building at the corner of Main and Division dates back to the 1860s. He said downtown construction was between that period and the 1920s.
"We're almost walking," commission member Aaron Atkins quipped as he talked about downtown preservation getting traction. Atkins fielded questions from commissioners about guidelines recently approved by the commission which building owners need to adhere to if they seek a local "landmark" designation, which could open the door to grants and low interest loans to refurbish buildings.
Those not seeking a certification don't have to worry about them--whether an historic district is formed in the future--or not. Gross told the council, "Time has passed us by" and allowing holes to develop in downtown as buildings deteriorate will only contribute at some point to the disappearance of a very viable downtown.
With respect to how future city council and historic preservation commission members will treat the program, "I think we have to have faith in our electorate," Atkins said.
The thinking of the two men was clear and the council bought into it, approving the guidelines unanimously.
Members of Dr. Richard Zimmerman's family are currently seeking direction from the commission on their revitalization project at the corner of East Main and Oak Street. The family is committed in going the distance on historic preservation if there is a guarantee that historic preservation incentives will be there to make up the difference between conventional renovation and historic renovation. Economic development director Jeff Ashauer and the commission made a commitment to the Zimmermans to help find that funding. If not, the Zimmermans will have to pull back to conventional, less expensive approaches to renovation. The family has already invested tens of thousands of dollars in stabilization of their building. One example: a new electrical panel cost $5,000--without the wiring.
Their commitment is a huge asset to he downtown.
One commissioner commented, "I see us struggling to enforce land use issues in Du Quoin. There is a lot of opinion. I was just curious as to how historic preservation can help--in advance."
In other action the council approved the ordinances necessary to send proceeds from a half-cent sales tax back to Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 to help retire between $3 and $6 million in local bonding toward the completion of the $18 million Du Quoin High School construction. Commissioner Rex Duncan had asked for language in the agreement that would encourage the school district to retire the bonds as quickly as possible and extended his appreciation in being allowed to help author that language.
The city has reached agreement on winning the release of a lien from Banterra Bank on a house at 219 South Mulberry Street which was destroyed earlier this summer by fire. Du Quoin will pay the bank $1,000 to cover documentation costs. Mayor John Rednour, who chairs the competing Du Quoin State Bank, openly resented the stipend saying community service should have guided release of the hold. The city will assume possession of the property and contract to have it cleaned up.
The council also approved a permit for the Du Quoin State Fair parade, approved a largely flawless 2009 audit and voted condemnation of properties at 219 North Hickory and 1594 South Washington.
Du Quoin Lake Meeting
The council will host a meeting at 6 p.m. this evening at city hall on how to deal with maintenance of roads at the Du Quoin City Lake. That meeting is open to the public.
Du Quoin Night Out
Du Quoin police officer Chris Robinson reminded the council and the community of plans for a Du Quoin "Night Out" for the entire family at Keyes City Park from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, August 9. Du Quoin will partner with the Perry County Sheriff's Department, Pinckneyville Police and other emergency services. More later.