Algonquin proposes razing downtown building

Vacant for years and prone to flooding, a building in the heart of downtown Algonquin could soon be torn down to accommodate the village's ongoing streetscape plan.

The village purchased the 101 S. Main St. property for $250,000 this year in hopes of controlling its future, Senior Planner Ben Mason said. At the time, he said, officials were weighing several options for the roughly century-old building, including turning the space into a temporary field office.

However, the structure's location next to Crystal Creek has led to repetitive flooding and significant foundation issues that officials deemed not worthy of repair. Instead, Mason said, staff members started considering demolishing the building a more manageable and worthwhile venture, and incorporating the open space into a creek restoration project.

"It was decided that the most cost-effective and best use of the property in the public benefit would be to tear the building down," Mason said.

Algonquin's historic commission this month voted unanimously against demolishing the building, citing concerns over losing a commercial site in the core of the downtown, village records show. The group wants the village to instead focus on restoring and preserving buildings in its Old Town District.

The South Main Street site was constructed in the early 1900s and was formerly used as a car dealership and a service garage. As it is now, the property doesn't serve as a draw for visitors or potential new businesses, Mason said, nor does it have much historical or architectural significance.

Improving Crystal Creek and creating more open space could contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the downtown, he said.

Years ago, the creek was redirected into a straight line through the downtown. Algonquin's $30 million downtown streetscape plan now includes reverting the water to its original flow, naturalizing the slope of the banks and restructuring the bridge over the creek.

The property's parking lot off Harrison Street could also be incorporated into the village's plan to create a unified public parking area, Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said earlier.

Trustees acting as a committee of the whole this week indicated they would support tearing down the structure. The village board is expected to vote Nov. 7 on whether to override the historic commission.