By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A downtown Decatur eyesore for several years which at one time was considered dangerous to the public, will soon be a modern, functioning office building.
Restoration of the Faurote building is nearly complete and will become headquarters for the Adams County Economic Development Corp. (ACEDC).
“We will be moving in over the next several weeks. Our furniture is still a few weeks out and they are putting the final touches inside,” ACEDC Executive Director Colton Bickel said recently.
For over three years the building has been a blight in an otherwise sparkling downtown.
The city was given the dilapidated building by city resident Paul Faurote in early 2022 and was almost immediately deemed a possible danger to the public by the city’s building/zoning department.
Limberlost Construction of Geneva was hired at a cost of $153,350, to secure the structure.
Later, the city and the ACEDC signed a lease agreement which stated that upon completion of the restoration, the ACEDC will take possession of the two-story structure and relocate its offices.
A small portion in the rear of the building is leased by the city for much-needed storage space.
A state READI grant of $290,000 was obtained by the city and was used to hire Limberlost to renovate the building. The ACEDC, through its own funds and some private donations, picks 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.
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