Plans are continuing to advance for the demolition of the historic Bresee Tower and Vermilion County Courthouse Annex in downtown Danville. Bill Pickett has more….
Vermilion County Board Chairman Larry Baughn says a meeting was held Tuesday with Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., and his team about the building…
{AUDIO: “And they have put together an intergovernmental agreement for the County and the City to take partnership in, of course, the take-down of the Bresee and the County Annex building. We’ve sent it to the State’s Attorney’s Office for their review. The City’s Corporate Counsel had wrote it. So again, it’s just a draft right now. I want to make sure that we’re both covered. Everything I’ve read thus far the City’s done a great job in the intergovernmental agreement.’’}
Baughn outlined some of the details in the proposed agreement….
{AUDIO: “Basically it boils down to the City is 100-percent responsible for any action and demolition to the Bresee, and the County is likewise responsible for any demolition for the Annex building. So, again, the State’s Attorney’s Office is reviewing that. We’ll bring it back to our Executive and Legislation Committee. And as long as it passes those two it’ll come here to the full (County) Board – and I assume the City is doing the same.}
Baughn added he has mixed feelings about the planned demolition….
{AUDIO: “Bill, I know you and I have talked about both of those buildings being historic landmarks of downtown Danville – and for the county as well. So, it’s sad at the same time but we also know we’re backed against the wall to do something with both of those buildings. So I’m just glad that the City finally got to that step where they could. Because, again, that is what stopped us all of those years from doing something with ours as well.”}
The 12-story Bresee Tower was built in 1917 and formerly housed the First National Bank and numerous professional offices. In July (of this year), Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge Mark Goodwin authorized the City of Danville to proceed with the demolition. Chris and Jeri Collins, the most recent owners of Bresee Tower, failed to attend the hearing. The building has been empty for years and the City claims it needs to come down because it’s condition poses a threat to motorists and pedestrians. The City of Danville earlier closed one of the westbound lanes of West Main Street near the building after some terra cotta fell from the building’s exterior.
