Daily Archives: November 23, 2008

City Council, City of Peoria, History

AMVETS finance officer: “It is now time to move on”

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The City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to make the AMVETS building an historic landmark. The Historic Preservation Commission is recommending that they do. But it appears that even if the council ultimately votes against preserving the building, plans to move the AMVETS Post 64 to a new location are already kaput. Riverside Church has backed out of their purchase agreement for AMVETS’ current location, and the owners of the proposed new location — the old Penguin Tap in Peoria Heights — have moved on to another potential buyer for the property who offered more money.

So finance officer Joe Sharpe, in a post on AMVETS Post 64’s new blog, is suggesting the group move on and make the most of their current location. It turns out that it isn’t nearly as expensive to improve the building as some have thought; and it also turns out that ADA compliance may not be necessary for the group to make some extra money renting out the building:

A major reason for the move is not having an elevator. Ever since I started coming down to the AMVETS I was told that to have functions open to the public we must have an ADA compliant elevator. I even voted to spend $250,000 to put in a new elevator. We do not need a new elevator. I finally took the time to call the city to find out the facts. Currently we are grandfathered in to not have an ADA compliant elevator for public events. However, to maintain our grandfathered status, renovations to the building over a 30 month period cannot exceed $100,000 This fits into a “one floor at a time” approach. This is how a Peoria building inspector interpreted the law. I am currently waiting to hear back from a gentlemen in Springfield that handles this type of issue specifically. Please [view the code] paragraph B6.

I have taken a plumber and a union carpenter/contractor to look at the third floor. The plumber was impressed with the newer copper water lines and suggested new toilets, bathroom fixtures, and an additional toilet to the men’s room. The carpenter suggested laminate flooring and paint for the walls. I did not receive a written quote from either, but the carpenter believed that if we spent over $15,000 on paint and flooring materials we would be wasting [our] money.

High utilities are another supposed reason to move. So far this year our average CILCO bill has been under $2,000. The roof was cited as another reason to move. I have been on the roof and, although I’m not a roofer its condition looks excellent. The point is that we can easily spend less than $100,000 in order to start renting out the third floor ballroom.

Fixing one floor at a time is not enough by itself. We must hire someone able to maintain and actively promote the building to its fullest potential. I think Liz has taught us that one motivated employee can make a huge difference to the club. I am referring to the dramatic increase in daytime business. Linda currently cannot take on further responsibility required to fill this needed position.

I thank everyone that has put time into the move and I share your frustration caused by recent events. It is now time to move on and not let our fate rest in the hands of others.

Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer

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DeWayne and I have something in common

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Neither one of us has a cell phone.

That, of course, makes me eccentric. Which is funny, because evidently what’s not eccentric is walking around with a little Bluetooth gizmo sticking out of your ear. Also not eccentric: Walking around looking like you’re talking to yourself while wearing a little Bluetooth gizmo sticking out of your ear. Oh yeah, I’m the weird one.

Some people are incredulous that I can live, breathe, and — perhaps most amazing — travel without a cell phone. It does make you wonder how we lived for so long without these devices. Just think, up until 1979 there were no cell phones. Do you realize what that means? It means Columbus discovered the new world… without a cell phone! The Pilgrims came without cell phones. International trade was carried on for centuries without cell phones. And yes, man went to the moon and back several times without cell phones.

You’re all stunned, I know. And you’re saying, “yeah, but this is 2008; people went without indoor plumbing and microwaves and dishwashers for centuries, too, but you’ve gotta get with the times, Ceej.” Well, not all technology is created equal. Some are more useful and necessary than others. There have been major advances in coffee-making technology, too, but since I don’t drink coffee, I don’t own the latest and greatest coffee maker. It’s unnecessary in my life; I don’t need it.

And that’s the same reason I don’t have a cell phone: I don’t need it. I have a phone in my house, and I have a phone in my office at work. If you call while I’m not in either of those places, you can leave me a message and I’ll call you back. Simple, just like Thoreau advised. I’m not waiting for a kidney transplant. I’m not carrying the nuclear football. So whatever it is, it can wait.