Geneva aldermen decided overwhelmingly to designate an 1840s-era limestone building at the site of the old Mill Race Inn a landmark.
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The structure, south of the East State Street Bridge, was part of the iconic Mill Race Inn restaurant along the Fox River that was demolished in 2016.
Aldermen voted 9-1 in favor of the landmark status despite the objection of the property owners, the Shodeen Family Foundation. Ald. Jim Radecki voted against the measure.
Landmarks Illinois recently named the building to its 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places list. Historic preservation advocates believe the building can be repurposed to another use.
“Hooray, now we have to get to work,” Geneva resident Colin Campbell told The Beacon-News. Campbell has been among those pushing for the landmark designation.
Campbell said local preservationists are looking to reach out to the property owners to discuss the future of the building.
“We are hopeful that the Shodeen Corporation will be receptive to our working with them to try to find a feasible way of repurposing the building into something that will be beneficial for the development and for the city,” Campbell said.
In an email response to The Beacon-News, David Patzelt, president of Geneva-based Shodeen Inc., said the developer is “extremely disappointed with the results but not particularly surprised.”
“It was clear from the outset of this process that multiple parties were not concerned about the rules set forth in the ordinance, the material flaws in the application or the current condition of the remnant structure,” he said. “The landmark ordinance has only been enforced a couple of times and that was evident in this recent process.”
He said the developer has heard “from numerous residents that they, like us, do not believe the decision was in the best interests of the taxpayers, the future plans of Geneva, the comprehensive plan, the use of the property, the foundation or the community as a whole.
“We intend to take whatever time is necessary to determine the most appropriate option for the Shodeen Foundation at this time in light of this decision,” he said.
Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said the next step for the structure rests with the Shodeen Family Foundation.
“We will wait with patience for their response,” Burns said.
Burns said he has not had a conversation with their representative.
“”The decision just being rendered I believe deserves the opportunity to settle until the next steps are taken from either the city’s perspective and I am certain the Shodeen Family Foundation feels the same,” the mayor said.
Patzelt filed a permit application Dec. 20 with the city’s Building Department for the demolition of the structure to allow for future redevelopment of the site.
Before the city acted on the demolition permit, Geneva resident Fred Zinke filed as a third party to have the building designated a historic landmark.
The property owner filed an objection Feb. 20.
The property owner now will have to re-apply for a demolition permit and go through a review process if the plan remains to tear down the building.
“I think because the vote was so solid in favor of the landmark status, I think the property owner would understand they would not get a demolition permit in a hurry. In my opinion, the City Council wants to have a thorough look at the options,” Campbell said.
Campbell was among one of the chief proponents who supported saving the Pure Oil station on West State Street in downtown Geneva from the wrecking ball about six years ago. The building, built in the mid-1930s, is now a bank drive-thru facility.
“The Pure Oil is on the Lincoln Highway which is becoming almost as popular to tourists as Route 66. It still stands and looks like a Pure Oil building. It serves nicely as a bank drive-thru. I understand it has attracted customers who like to drive through it,” Campbell said.
Campbell said he is optimistic something as well can be done with the old Mill Race Inn structure.
“There is no question that something amazing can be done with the Mill Race Inn building. It is going to take imagination, creativity and money,” Campbell said.
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When Landmarks Illinois designated the building as endangered, its Director of Advocacy Lisa DiChiera called it “one of the oldest surviving commercial structures” in Geneva.
The building was used for many types of businesses over the years, according to the group’s supporting documents.
DiChiera said the statewide historic preservation group believes the structure can be incorporated into future redevelopment plans.
Burns said the city wants to see activity at the site.
“The city’s position is that we continue to look forward to the site being redeveloped in a way that complements our community, addresses issues with respect to economic development and reflects the character, tenor and tone of Geneva,” Burns said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.