By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A downtown building that’s become a long-festering problem was back before Decatur’s board of works and safety at its latest meeting.
Meanwhile, city council took action on two subdivisions: formally annexing Lake Shores and moving one step from finalizing a reduction of the speed limit in Cross Creek from 30 mph to 25 mph; the final vote will come at the July 5 meeting.
The Faurote building at 138 N. Second St. has been shored up and made safe by city dollars, but it’s time to plot a course for its future, Building/Zoning Superintendent Curt Witte told the board at its recent meeting.
“We need to start thinking about what to do with that building,” Witte said. “I’m afraid it’s going to start deteriorating again, then we’ll lose all that money we’ve put into it.”
After a discussion which included putting the structure up for sale, it was decided to let city council make a final decision.
The building, formerly owned by Paul Faurote of Decatur, had been deteriorating for years and had become a major safety concern for the city. Faurote deeded the building, at no charge, to the city a couple of years ago.
Council later spent over $150,000 to have Limberlost Construction of Geneva secure the building.
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