Thomle building on the block in Batavia

Batavia officials plan to put the Thomle building at 2 E. Wilson St. up for sale after the bridge reconstruction is done.

"Now is the time to get it out there," said Jim Volk, chairman of the city council's city services committee.

The limestone building, built in 1878, is home to the Batavia MainStreet group.

The group recently moved back into the building after being displaced since April because of problems uncovered while excavating the sidewalk during bridge construction.

The city will put out a request for proposals either late this year or early next year, Volk said.

"We want to get some developers interested in it and get it back on the tax rolls," he said.

The city condemned the building more than five years ago after its owner let it fall into extreme disrepair, according to City Administrator Bill McGrath.

Batavia MainStreet volunteers rehabbed it in 2001 in exchange for use of the building. It planned an incubator program for new businesses with low rents in another floor of the building, but only two businesses took advantage of it.

The city has put about $100,000 into the building but has received $74,000 in grants from Kane County on the project.

It was always the city's plan to put it back on the market.

Batavia MainStreet Director Britta McKenna said she didn't know where the group will be based after it moves out.

Part of the decision depends on whether a downtown special taxing district is implemented, McKenna said. A portion of that tax would benefit the group.