By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A complete upgrade to the downtown Faurote Building and a look at riverfront development are continuing to move forward after action taken at its latest meeting by Decatur’s board of works and safety.
Acting on a recommendation by Adams County Economic Development Director Colton Bickel, the board approved Limberlost Construction’s bid of $504,712 to make the building suitable for the ACEDC to move its office there.
It was the only bid received for the project.
The Geneva firm also bid $46,277 to separate the small building in the rear, repair its roof, add a garage door, etc. The board decided to take some time to delve further into that situation before making a decision.
The city owns the entire building and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ACEDC, which will eventually own the two-story structure and lease the small portion in the rear to the city, which plans to use it for much-needed storage.
The city obtained a state READI grant of $290,000 to put toward renovation of the building and the ACEDC, through its own funds and some private donations, will pick up the tab for the rest of the cost.
The ACEDC office is currently located in the Adams County Service Complex at Third and Jefferson streets.
TIF TAB: The board also approved the hiring of the consulting firm of Crowe LLC to determine how much a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) designation would produce financially for a possible addition of riverfront housing off First St.
The fee will not exceed $5,000.
The request was made by City Attorney Anne Razo, who said the determination is needed to keep the possibility of riverfront development moving forward.
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