Elgin Alano Club wants to move downtown
The Elgin Alano Club, a nonprofit serving people in 12-step recovery programs, is hoping to move from its near west side location to downtown Elgin.
The new space at 73 S. Riverside Drive is an ideal spot because it's close to public transportation and easily accessible to people with disabilities, said board member Laurie-Faith Gibson.
The current location at 5 N. Union St. is on the third floor of a building with a service elevator that doesn't go all the way down to ground level, she said.
"There are a lot of accessibility issues, especially for older members," she said. Also, the new location is larger and has an extra bathroom, she said.
The club is looking for help - both in the form of money and muscle - for its upcoming move expected in mid-September, pending approval by the city council, Gibson said.
The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for the club, with newly sworn-in Commissioner Jerri McCue casting the only dissenting vote Monday night. The commission asked for more information about security measures at the Riverside Drive location, said Elgin senior planner Sarosh Saher, adding the matter might be before the city council Aug. 26.
McCue said she supports the nonprofit's mission but has concerns about security after finding out that someone stole from the club's safe and from its vending machine a few years ago. "Anytime you see things like that it's a reason for concern," she said. "That's basically it. They didn't satisfy me with their answers."
Gibson said there have been no thefts in the last three years after inside security cameras were installed. Also, the safe theft happened when the club was housed in a temporary location on Prairie Street, and the office walls didn't go all the way up to the ceiling, which made access easier, Gibson said.
"We are documenting our current physical security and incident reporting plan, and how that will be modified at the new location," she said.
McCue said she's also concerned about club members smoking outside, which could negatively affect nearby businesses.
"The Riverside Drive promenade is supposed to be a showcase for Elgin and with the addition of (the Elgin Alano Club), I'm just going to be concerned that there is anything that could potentially have some adverse effects."
Gibson said she believes that will not be a problem. "Mostly everyone (who attends the club) knows what the (appropriate) conduct is and is very respectful of their neighbors," she said.
The club, formed nine years ago, initially was housed in the ground floor of the Elgin Tower Building and moved after a new tenant offered to pay higher rent, Gibson said.
The decision to move again this year was prompted by a rezoning process at the current location, which would which have required a conditional use permit for the club, Gibson said. If the club was going to spend money for a permit anyway, it might as well look for a new spot that would fully serve its needs, she explained.
The club has a "Serenity of the River" fundraising campaign, including via Pay Pal, to support the move to Riverside Drive. Donations are tax deductible.