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| NewsThursday, December 22, 2005 12:42 PM CST |
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Renovation of historic hotel begins
CLINTON -- Newly installed plywood over exposed windows and word of a successful grant application have marked the official start of renovation work on the former Taylor Magill Hotel. The DeWitt County Restoration Association recently received ownership of the hotel from the city of Clinton. The building, located on the downtown square, was purchased by the city several years ago from an owner who could not complete repairs. The preservation group has plans to create The Magill House, a unique hotel with themed rooms, from the now-vacant three-story building. Association member Cathy Rittenhouse told The Pantagraph the group's application for funds from Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois has been approved. The $10,000 grant will be used to make initial repairs and stabilize a portion of the west wing of the building. Deterioration of the west side has been a concern for city and preservation officials. Possible solutions include removal of part of the third floor or demolition of the entire wing. Engineering studies of the 135-year-old building indicate the main portion of the hotel is structurally sound. Fund-raising efforts for the project were off to a good start Sunday with about $13,000 collected by the association from a gala and auction. Fund-raising committee chairwoman Barbara Strange said the event is an indicator of community support for the project. "We had enormous support from the community. This is a good thermometer of what's to come," Strange said. The first repair work completed on the hotel was the installation of plywood covers over several broken windows. Volunteers finished the window work shortly after title to the building was transferred from the city. The total cost of the project has been estimated at about $6 million. Funding may come from several sources. The building's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places makes the project available for tax credits that could raise funds for a developer. The city also has pledged funds from the hotel's tax increment financing district and a facade grant for repairs. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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