Site prep beginning on barber shop property

Developer and United Ironworkers President Kim Rasnick told the Herald Tribune on Sunday night that he anticipates starting site preparation soon at the old Tom’s Barber Shop property on Steeleville’s west side.

A track hoe was seen parked next to the empty barber shop building on Saturday.

“We’re going to start tearing that down, dig out the basement and clean up where the fire department burnt the other building down,” he said.

The Steeleville Fire Department conducted a training burn of the other building on the property last fall. Piles of dirt have also been building up around the site the past few months.

As he has before, Rasnick remained tight-lipped about plans for the property - located at 904 W. Broadway next to Egyptian Telephone Cooperative - and said he would not divulge any information “until it’s a done deal.”

“I’m working on some things, but I’ve got nothing solid,” he said. “It takes a lot longer than you’d think. I know everybody’s interested in what’s going on.”

The barber shop property is a short distance away from another lot in the process of development - the Bockhorn Motors site that will become the future headquarters of Mevert Automotive.

“Everything else is kinda taken,” Rasnick said. “(The barber shop site) is an awesome spot and a good piece of property when you look at the whole thing.”

Rasnick noted he wished to get the site preparation completed so that when he was given the go-ahead, he can start on it.