Decision on building's fate put on hold

Decision on building's fate put on hold

North First Street, Buddies, Media--News-Gazette

Article on Buddie's Bar.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/other/2004-01-07/decision-buildings-fate-put-hold.html

News-Gazette

7 January 2004

No

CHAMPAIGN – The building that once housed Buddies Bar on North First Street got a reprieve Tuesday night from the Champaign City Council.

Council members also unanimously approved an annexation agreement for a new subdivision in northwest Champaign, to be called Boulder Ridge, that will encompass 267 acres.

The city council was considering a proposal to authorize using eminent domain, if necessary, to obtain title to the old Buddies Bar property at 120 N. First St. so the city could redevelop the property.

But council members voted 7-2 to table the measure until the council's second meeting in February after a personal plea from the building's owner, Clarence Davidson of Chicago.

Davidson gave a lengthy explanation of delays he has incurred in recent years in his efforts to renovate the building, located just north of Jackson's Ribs-N-Tips. Those delays included difficulty in finding an architect, and then having his chosen architect suffer a serious health setback.

He also said he made a mistake in attempting to repair the roof with his own crew without obtaining a city building permit, work that led to water damage in the building.

Davidson said the building is historic and shouldn't be torn down.

"I want to maintain the character of my building," he said. "Too often in African-American communities, history is wiped out."

Davidson said he intends to use a $33,250 loan from Busey Bank, a $51,000 grant from the city and $40,000 to $50,000 of his own money and "sweat equity" to transform the building into a cultural and performing arts center. He said he would have a dinner-theater restaurant in the facility to help support the center.

Council member J.W. Pirtle made the motion to table the eminent domain proposal and instruct city staff to work with Davidson toward formulating a renovation and grant proposal. Council members Ken Pirok and Kathy Ennen voted "no."

The city had offered Davidson $35,000 this fall to sell his building.

In other business, the council unanimously approved an annexation agreement and area general plan for the major residential subdivision to be called Boulder Ridge.

The subdivision will be located north of Bradley Avenue and west of Interstate 57 and will offer houses in the $130,000 to $175,000 range, as well as some multifamily units.

GAM Properties LLC, owned by Greg Millage and his wife, Debbie, is developing the site, which is expected to contain about 900 dwelling units when completed. The project will have an eventual assessed valuation of $45 million and generate $600,000 in property tax revenues, according to city estimates.

Council members approved some waivers of city requirements as part of the agreement. Lot sizes will average 60 feet wide instead of 65 feet and residential collector streets will be 28 feet wide instead of 34 feet. City planning officials said the narrower streets will lead to less speeding and the concrete pavement will be 1 inch thicker than required, giving it a longer life.

The council also agreed to waive the requirement that sidewalks be on both sides of the streets. The developer will offer sidewalks on at least one side of the street and also offer a system of interconnected trails.

Council member Tom Bruno said he liked that the subdivision will offer smaller lots and rectangular blocks and straight streets, which he said was a throwback to developments of 40 years ago.

"I think this neighborhood will have a traditional feel," he said.

In other action:

Esquire gets grant – Council members also authorized awarding an $87,649 Redevelopment Incentive Program grant to the owners of the Esquire Lounge to assist in that business's expansion into the adjacent property at 118 N. Walnut St.