Danville’s Historic Preservation Commission is set for a vote this week that could decide the fate of Bresee Tower. The City of Danville is asking the Commission to approve a certificate of appropriateness to de-designate the 12 story downtown structure from its landmark status. If the Commission approves the certificate for appropriateness to demolish the building it would give the city permission to acquire a company for the demolition.
The City claims the building no longer has any historical significance due to its abandoned and unsafe condition. When first built in 1918 it was the First National Bank building. Later it would be known as Bresee Tower and Collins Tower. A judge ruled in May in favor of granting the City a judicial deed because of the property’s abandoned condition, but the ruling is currently under appeal.
As the City seeks permission to tear down the building a development company…Celadon Partners of Chicago says it would like to try to save it. Celadon Partners is proposing a $19.5 million dollar renovation which would turn the first floor of Bresee Tower into retail space and the other floors into apartments. But the company’s proposal calls for $3.3 million dollars in financial support from the City of Danville and over $10-million dollars in federal and state tax credits.
The Danville Historic Preservation Commission meets at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8th, at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building at 17 West Main Street in Danville.
