90-year-old landmark to be torn down in Catlin

CATLIN, Ill. (WCIA) — In about a week, a piece of history will be gone in one Central Illinois community.

For more than 90 years, a grain elevator has looked over the village of Catlin. But about three years ago, a Japanese grain bin corporation called Zen Noh bought the property and is now making some changes. It’s being torn down, and the village is losing a landmark.

Maryann Thomas has lived in Catlin more than 45 years.

“Yeah, it was kind of kind of sad just to see, you know, the building — the elevator and everything over there. And it’s going to be different again with that all flattened,” Thomas said.

Village official David Biggerstaff said Zen Noh is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring it down.

“Their cost was $400,000. Just to tear it down.”

With the village budget being $1.2 million a year, this would’ve taken up a third of it, and the taxpayers would have paid a price. That’s why village leaders put a plan into place in the spring so that wouldn’t happen.

“So, the vacant building ordinance is designed to prevent taxpayers from having to foot the bill for private property demolitions,” Biggerstaff said.

Although people like Thomas look at it as losing a piece of history, she is happy about one thing.

“Anything would help as far as on our taxes and stuff goes.”

Village officials said they’re still not sure what the vacant property will be turned into.

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