Illinois Legislature Considers Bill Giving Unused Armories to Salem and Mt. Vernon

The Illinois legislature is considering a measure that would give the no longer used Salem Armory to the City of Salem and the Mt. Vernon Armory to the City of Mt. Vernon. State Representative John Cavaletto says the Amendment to a Senate bill has now passed the Illinois House and the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate and is headed to the Senate Floor. "It gives the quick claim deed to the Armory, to Salem, and to the same one in Mt. Vernon.
So now, the thing is that these are old buildings. They have asbestos in them, but they've turned them over to the city. They're going to turn them over to the city of Mt. Vernon and Salem and decide what to do with them when they gain them. So the property would be theirs", said Cavaletto.
State Senator John O. Jones says he's willing to support the bill, but hopes city officials know the liability they are taking on. "There's plans for that facility, and that's great. If there is, we want to help him pursue those plans. I know with the city of Mt. Vernon, I talked briefly to the mayor there. They're looking at possibly demolishing the thing in Mt. Vernon.
If they do, we're looking at 400-to-500-thousand dollars to do the demolition on that building and get it hauled off. So we need to be careful of what we get because it could be a bigger liability than we realize", said Jones. Salem Mayor John Raymer explains what the city would do if they obtained the Armory. "We don't have any plan to use that building, but we do think there are some people in town who would interested in purchasing that for a business location. If that's the case, we can get that on the tax rolls and bring some more jobs into town, and that's where we want to go", said Raymer.
Raymer realizes there is a zoning issue since the Armory is currently a special use in a residential zone. Salem Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld says a visual inspection of the Salem Armory showed all asbestos encapsulated in insulation around pipes in the building.
However, she notes a full survey of the building has not been completed. The bill for the quick claim deed could be sent to the Governor's desk during this week's brief veto session or when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0