http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-906437.mp3
Macomb, IL – An historic building in downtown Macomb has been sold to the highest bidder. The former owners of Cookies Diner on the west side of the courthouse square allowed Lowderman Auction Company to sell the building and everything inside.
The building sold for $90,000. It's served a variety of purposes over its history, including as Macomb City Hall. One section of the building's second floor also served as the jail, the cells of which are still intact.
Fifth ward Alderman Dave Dorsett says the building's new owner has to adhere to a few restrictions when remodeling.
"The exterior of the building will fall under the historic preservation guidelines we've put into place over the past year," says Dorsett.
But the inside of the building does not face such restrictions.
"That's a different story altogether," Dorsett says. "As we structured our historic preservation ordinance, the community by and large is only concerned with the facade of the building. Even though it does have a certain place in our history."
In addition to the jail cells upstairs, the building also has four apartments which are in bad shape at best.
Dorsett hopes the building can be turned into something useful -- perhaps a restaurant to generate more downtown traffic in the early evening hours. Given the new owners, he maintains a glimmer of hope that it's possible.
"The folks who have purchased that have a long history of being involved with the community," he says. "We can only hope that they have a vision that fits in with the downtown."