Illinois Ave Reopens in Council, Demolition Schedule Not Set

No more diving for safety as cars and trucks zip through side streets and alleys to get around the road closure on Illinois Ave. The road had been closed since the fire at 202 Illinois, the old Council Valley Market, on October 7th. The city of Council and Council Fire re-opened the road on October 28th.

A quick update from Council City Clerk Ashley Scott is that the process of demolition and removal of debris is more complicated than originally expected. Tests for asbestos came back positive - which is not a surprise. However, it does make it more difficult to dispose of the building debris as it limits where it can be taken, according to the city.

A demolition contractor is scheduled to assess the site on the 29th. Ashley said that some contractors have expressed concern about being liable for further damage stemming from demolition work. The city will probably have to involve a structural engineer, which is more cost and time.

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