Taxpayers could get stuck with Lincoln building demolition bill

LINCOLN, Ill. (WAND) — Taxpayers in Lincoln may be on the hook for the demolition costs of a building which burned downtown in early September.

Burned building in downtown Lincoln — Burned out building on Sangamon Avenue in downtown Lincoln, Illinois on October 16, 2024.

City Council members indicated in a Tuesday evening meeting the owner of the building appears to not have had the structure insured. It is currently a public safety hazard and the city is pushing to get it demolished as quickly as possible. Bricks and debris are on the street in front of the building. After a façade fell in September there are worries more of the structure could come down.

The council has received two bids from companies wanting to demolish the building. A Decatur company is bidding $195,000 and a second company bid $210,000. One bid indicates the work can be done in 60 days the other 30 days. Both bids are on the council agenda for next week.

There is also concern for a wall being compromised in a neighboring building during demolition. The building was not damaged in the fire. However, several windows in the upper floor of the structure are gone and open to the elements.