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Article updated: 1/31/2012 4:25 PM

Elgin Artspace project chugging along

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A large open section in the middle of the building will be a gallery space for artists living at Artspace in downtown Elgin. Construction workers plan to reopen a skylight that was boarded up years ago, a move that will flood the gallery space with natural light.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Guests climb a large set of scaffolding as they head to the second floor during the Artspace tour Tuesday in Elgin.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

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Guests on the tour were able to see what will eventually be the artist residences inside the remodeled building at 51 S. Spring St., in downtown Elgin.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Community members and prospective renters gathered Tuesday to tour the progress of the Artspace project as part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association's January Out to Lunch event. Construction is expected to finish in October.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Besides renovating the former Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus, Shales McNutt Construction workers are putting up a new, adjacent building to fit more of the 55 rental units planned for the project.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

About this Article

The building that once housed Elgin Community College classes and before that Sears department store in downtown Elgin is well on its way to becoming apartment and studio space for artists. The project, a partnership between Minneapolis-based Artspace and the city of Elgin, is supposed to wrap up in October with 55 rental units to be ready for individuals and families by the end of the year.

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