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Carthage In Talks To Buy Building for Next-to-Nothing

Carthage Mayor James Nightingale says the city will use sales tax revenue to pay for maintenance costs for the auditorium.

The Carl Sandburg College auditorium in Carthage might soon have a new owner. Aldermen agreed to buy the building for $100.

CSC acquired the building in 2008 and has spent around $3 million in upgrades and repairs since then. College President Lori Sundberg feels the school can trim spending by letting go of the building.

“Auditoriums are, in and of themselves, difficult to maintain in terms of utilities. They’re difficult to heat, cool, and then just in terms of general maintenance,” Sundberg said.

Sundberg said the college spends $25,000 to $35,000 each year just to maintain the building.

Carthage Mayor James Nightingale said the city could not pass up the opportunity to purchase the building for a low price. He said the auditorium could become a centerpiece for the community.

“I think you get a few things started and it just grows and grows. And that’s what we’re looking at. But it’s a very important part of our community,” Nightingale said.

Nightingale said there are plans to host movie days and concerts at the auditorium. And he said LDS groups from Nauvoo have already booked it for events this summer.

The sale of the building is not complete yet -- it must still be approved by the Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees.  They're scheduled to take a vote this month.

If approved, it would then take about a month for the deed to be transferred.