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
” When life hands You lemons, make lemonade! ” – Unknown Author
Nothing is OVER till it’s OVER. The finance officer has not looked at the cost to do the work on the outside of the building to make it secure. The proposal received is very complete and has a cost of over $167,000.00. He is correct that the roof is in good shape and could last quite a few more years. The copper tubing that was so impressive to a plumber was run external to the walls and only to what was our kitchen. The copper pipes, were allowed to be run external to the walls because the floor was not being used for anything else. In order to get water to the bathrooms, you would need to go through the walls, and that would be expensive. I notice that nothing was said regarding the electrical wiring. In order to hold an event on that floor would require new electrical service. This would be another expense that was not taken into consideration within his overview. Heaven forbid that it would be rented and a fire should occur. The stairwells would become a trap for all individuals that were not young and in good condition, leaving out little children or older individuals. Would you like to be the one to take responsibility for this to happen? How would you get older persons or anyone with handicaps up to the third floor? We do not and could not discriminate against anyone.
We have had many qualified companies into the building and received offers from these companies. The cost is prohibitive at this time. We couldn’t afford the renovations and they would not generate enough revenue to be cost effective. I do agree “It is time to move on” to a newer single level facility that all of our membership can enjoy!
Why is the AMVETS concerned about moving to a single level facility now? They have been in the current building for decades. It seems probable that over the entire course of the organization, there has been disabled veterans that have problems with stairs. Have the AMVETS been discriminating the entire time they have been at their current location?
As for a fire in the building you would not be allowed to use elevators to evacuate anyway. As for accessibility to the third floor for the elderly and the disabled use chairlifts on the stairways. Thought and compromise needs to go into this project before they just give up and move. Given all else spruce it up so that it will attract another buyer.
Mr. Summers
I’m glad to see you take an interest in the AMVETS and our new blog. Although Mitch (AMVETS Commander) and I do not see eye to eye on how to move forward, we are both in favor of action to improve our organization, be it to move to a new location or invest in the current one. I do know that our membership is frustrated over this whole situation. I want to commit to staying in the building because we have enough money to fix one floor at a time and I believe our location is attractive for new members as well as potential renters of our ballroom. Making a commitment to stay will also bring closure to this whole drawn out process that the membership is tired of. A major problem with an organization such as ours is the amount of time it takes to juggle a purchase and sale of different properties with a different buyer and seller. Membership must be given ample notice and a vote must take place before major decisions can be made. The more time a deal takes to transpire, the less chances it has of occuring. We will see what happens. Thanks for your interest. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Family House building, according to the PJS, is in “danger” of being designated a historic site. Shouldn’t common sense prevail here? Who in the world would buy this house and for what purpose? Your life is endangered just trying to get into its parking lot. Its surroundings have not been maintained as a historic site–the house just looks out of place. I believe someone on the blog suggested that if a buyer (of a historic building) comes forth, then and only then should the historic designation be granted. If the house “just sits there,” it will certainly become an eyesore, not a tourist attraction. This discussion at this late date is just not fair to Family House.