Rantoul denied help in clearing old buildings

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Illinois
THE NEWS GAZETTE
Rantoul denied help in clearing old buildings
By Tim Mitchell
Published Online January 13, 2004

RANTOUL ? If Rantoul wants the old steam plant and other former Chanute
Air Force buildings demolished, it will likely have to do so without any
money from the Air Force.

Rantoul Aviation and Economic Development Director Reed Berger told the
Rantoul Economic Development Commission on Monday that Air Force
officials informed him and Village Administrator Gary Adams that it
would not pay for the demolition of three buildings along South Century
Boulevard, the old steam plant or White Hall.

Berger asked Air Force officials on Oct. 22 for some $500,000 in
assistance to demolish an old bakery building, the former SplatTactics
paintball building and the former Pallet Concepts building.

The Air Force had proposed turning all three buildings over to the
village, but Berger estimated it would cost $500,000 to remove asbestos
and lead-based paint and demolish them.

Since the village doesn't have money in its budget to cover the cost,
Berger asked the Air Force to pursue funding since the Air Force built
all three facilities.

This latest request came three years after Adams sent a letter to the
Air Force asking for money that could be used to demolish White Hall and
the old steam plant.

At 500,000 square feet, White Hall is larger than 11 football fields.
Constructed before World War II, it was the largest building owned by
the Department of Defense until the construction of the Pentagon.

Rantoul Inspection Department Director Dan Culkin said the interior is
full of asbestos and lead-based paint, a section of the roof leaks, and
some lower interior levels are flooded. Rodents have been seen running
through the building, which has developed stalagmites and stalactites in
the interior.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=15256

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