Wyoming building is focus of council’s concern

WYOMING – The Wyoming City Council is worried about the condition of a building at 104 E. William St.

The façade of the downtown building has for many years been unstable and requires repair or restoration. Shortly after Curry’s Pizza moved into the building a few years ago, the façade began to show that it was unstable and could possibly collapse onto the street and sidewalk below.

Curry’s Pizza relocated to a new building but fear of a collapse remained to such an extent that barricades have been in place for years.

Marcus Wilson, formerly of Kewanee, purchased the problematic building and indicated that he would have it repaired or reconstructed. Years have passed since and the city council is seeking a resolution to this predicament.

On Sept. 8, 2023, City Attorney Justin Raver sent Wilson a letter stating that the “building is unstable and a danger to the public safety.” Wilson was given 15 days to abate all nuisance conditions.
A letter was sent this year on June 25 to Wilson from Jacob & Klein, Attorneys at Law, who serve as attorneys for Wyoming’s TIF districts. The letter stated that an agreement between Wilson and Wyoming was entered into with Wilson to complete the repairs and reconstruction of the building’s façade on or before January 17. Attorneys noted in the letter that Wilson received a $13,000 grant to help finish the project, adding that if the project was not completed within 30 days, Wilson must return the money.

Additional letters were sent to Wilson without positive results. Subsequent research showed Wilson had moved to Bowling Green, Ky.

Wyoming, based on a court order, is authorized to enter the property and restore it to required zoning requirements, plus put a lien on the property.

During its Oct. 15 meeting, the council passed a resolution approving the city to proceed with restoring the building and placing a lien on it for the costs incurred. The council asked city engineer Justin Reeise, of Giffin-Reeise Engineering, to look at the structure to see what construction is required.

Council member Jim Mercer said, as water/sewer committee manager, a part-time employee may be hired to do weekend water samplings.

“Everything is looking good” at the water and sewer plants, Mercer said.

He also informed the council that Melvin Rodrigeuz, city maintenance employee, is joining the U.S. Army and will not be available to work for the city any longer.

Mercer told The Prairie News he is running for election next April to become Wyoming’s mayor. Current Mayor Pat Maher said Wednesday he is also running for reelection. A third possible candidate for mayor could be Chris Babb.

The council passed a TIF resolution authorizing the city to grant BO/GAR Enterprises $2,350 toward the $4,700 cost to power-wash and apply two coats of finish to its building front on south Illinois Route 91.

Also passed was a resolution to grant Stahl Lumber $5,000 toward the $15,000 cost of replacing the roof of an apartment building located at 504-506 Kennedy Court.

Finally, the council passed a resolution to pay a contract agreement with Ferguson Waterworks for $3,078 to maintain hardware and software.