Courthouse savers offer $40,000
By Stu Merry, BHG News Service
The old McLean County courthouse’s days are numbered. But that’s not stopping backers who want to save the building from doing their best to save the structure. At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners were presented an offer sheet of $40,000 to purchase the existing building. Dennis Kost, chairman of the McLean County Heritage Preservation Foundation, presented the letter. In it, the letter said the foundation had met with an unnamed developer who offered expertise in remodeling and reconstruction. “We will use the N. D. Historical Society’s list of contractors that they use for safety issues,” the letter said. Commissioners accepted the letter with little acknowledgement, set it aside, then, quickly moved to address the demolition process with States Attorney Ladd Erickson and architect Al Fitterer. Accompanying Kost were Ray Wicklander and Gerald “Stork” Nordquist. With the three hovering over their shoulders, taking notes, Erickson recommended a public meeting to explain what is planned.
