Two actions by the Granite City Council Tuesday, Jan. 17, could help boost development downtown, City Economic Development Director Jon Ferry said.
The City Council approved the sale of a long-vacant downtown building and a permit allowing eight apartments in an empty school building near downtown.
"There's a lot of potential that will come out of working with the buyer," Ferry said of the council's sale of the vacant Guardian Savings Bank building, 1324 Niedringhaus Ave., to the Lascelles Group LLC.
The group, headed by Granite City lawyer Lance Callis, is buying the bank building for $32,500. Callis said he wanted to renovate the two-story brick building and rent it out to businesses that attract people.
Callis' group is also buying four vacant lots downtown in the 1300 block of 19th Street. Businesses could build on the lots to suit, he said.
"This is not a moneymaking idea. This is to give back to the city," said Callis.
Callis said he didn't know yet how much the renovation might cost. He'd like to have the bank building developed as quickly as possible, but could not provide a date.
The council approved the bank building sale after it unanimously OK'd a non-conforming special use permit allowing the apartments.
Ferry said the plan the council approved for eight new apartments in the former St. Joseph's Catholic School at 2100 Edison Ave., was a step in the right direction. "What I've seen of their plans looks like it's going to be a very nice addition to the downtown," he said.
The special use permit was needed because the apartments will be in an area zoned D-4, for single family homes.
"I'm glad they approved it, put the building to use," Chris Korte said after the council approved the permit. Chris Korte and his wife Gina, of Highland, plan to spend $400,000 to $450,000 to put in the apartments.
The Kortes want to start construction this spring and finish about this time next year. The two-bedroom apartments would be about 1,000 square feet and rent for about $750 a month.
Council approval came after the plan commission split 3-3 on Jan. 5, with one member abstaining, on a proposal for 10-12 apartments at the spot.
At the plan commission meeting a small group of people living around the building spoke in opposition, citing occupancy violations and crime in the area. They brought a petition signed by 75 residents who opposed the plan and live within 300 feet of the property.
Ward I Alderman Gerald Williams, who represents the area of the apartments, said he had been opposed to the plan originally but decided to support it after the Kortes reduced the number of apartments from 10 to 12 to eight. He said he had talked to residents who had opposed them but now support them.
The council also has added several restrictions, including screening the dumpster, providing additional parking and directing lighting away from other residences and the street.
"The entire council was satisfied with what they were doing," Williams said.
Contact reporter Jim Merkel at 618-344-0264, ext. 138
Granite City Council action Jan. 17
• Sold the vacant Guardian Savings Bank building at 1324 Niedringhaus Ave. and four vacant lots in the 1300 block of 19th Street to the Lascelles Group LLC for $36,500
• Approved permit to allow eight apartments in the old St. Joseph's Catholic School, 2100 Edison Ave.
• Voted to provide additional signs at the crosswalks at 20th Street and Madison Avenue, 16th Street and Madison Avenue, and Nash and 20th streets cautioning motorists of the presence of pedestrians. Employees of the U.S. Steel-Granite City Works use the crosswalks.
