Landmark designation for historic St. Charles house set to go to city council vote
A historic St. Charles home that was at risk of demolition last year may soon be landmarked, with the St. Charles City Council poised to vote on a designation for the home later this month.
For years, the house at 217 Cedar Ave. faced an uncertain future as its owner at the time, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, pursued city approval to tear it down and reuse the space.
The house is also referred to as the Judge William D. Barry House, for its original owner. Barry was a lawyer, a Kane County judge around the time of the Civil War and the first president of the Kane County Bar Association.
Last year, the church sought demolition of the Barry House, proposing to turn the property into parking spaces. But the St. Charles City Council denied the church’s request for demolition, and St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull at the time indicated that the city was going to continue working with the church to determine a solution.
The city ultimately landed on subsidizing some of the costs for a potential buyer using funds from the city’s downtown tax increment financing, or TIF, district, which the Barry House lies within.
Under the new agreement, Geneva Heights LLC — better known as local developer Bob Rasmussen — would buy the Barry House and the house next to it from Baker Memorial for a total of $525,000 and restore the Barry House, with $125,000 from the city to help offset the costs. The city is also set to offer up to $50,000 for the developer if he is able to restore the building’s facade to its original stone condition.
As for the church’s parking concerns, the city at the time agreed to construct at least 10 angled parking spaces along the church. That cost has been estimated at around $250,000, for which TIF funds would also be used.
The developer also agreed to landmark the house as part of the agreement.
That is the matter that came before the St. Charles City Council for consideration at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday.
The home, which is currently undergoing interior renovation and exterior restoration, was nominated for the landmark designation by Rasmussen, of Geneva Heights LLC, according to a memo from the city included in Monday’s meeting agenda.
Constructed around 1844 and built of limestone in the Greek Revival style, the house is eligible for landmark status because of its historical significance, according to the city, which has pointed to Barry’s significance as a judge and attorney and his connections to Gen. John F. Farnsworth.
The city’s Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the landmark nomination in June, the city memo noted, and the commission recommended approval of the nomination. The matter then went on to the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, where it was recommended for approval.
Now, the landmark designation can go on for a final vote by the City Council, which is currently expected to happen at its July 20 meeting.