The status of a downtown Galesburg building ravaged by fire earlier in February remains in limbo as the property owner and its insurance company decide the future of the property.
An early-morning fire on Feb. 19 caused extensive structural and water damage of the 3-story building at 149-151 E. Main St. A day after the fire, the property owner and property management company made the decision to apply for an emergency demolition permit through the State of Illinois, in order to demolish the very top portion of the building for safety purposes.
Steve Gugliotta, director of Community Development, tells WGIL the owner is actively pursuing a resolution to future of the property.
“The decision regarding whether to demolish or repair the building belongs to the owner and their insurance company,” Gugliotta said. “The city may become involved in situations in which an owner is not fulfilling their responsibility; however, the owner of 149-151 E. Main St. is currently actively working towards a solution.”
According to the city of Galesburg Community Development Department, the property is owned by by 61401 Galesburg, LLC of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the manager of 61401 Galesburg, LLC is Minarsi W. Feszchak.
North Prairie Street between Main and Ferris streets has been closed to through traffic since the fire.
Gugliotta said the city will continue to keep the roadway blocked to traffic until the building has been further stabilized or demolished to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
The structure had two businesses on the first floor, and residential units on the second and third floors. Three individuals were present in the third-floor apartment unit at the time of the fire, and all self-evacuated. One occupant self-transported to the hospital and was treated for smoke inhalation. All tenants from the second-floor apartments also made it out of the building safely.
Businesses located on the street level were The Cutting Edge Salon and Main and Prairie Antiques and More. The salon said via its Facebook page that it was “closed for the unforeseeable future.” Individuals have been seen entering and retrieving items from the antique store at various times since the fire.
Gugliotta said the structural engineer hired by the property owner has advised against entering the building, but added, “As the owner is actively working towards a resolution, further action by the city to placard or condemn the property is not warranted at this time.”
The HUB, located west of the fire site at 143 E. Main St. and owned by KCCDD Inc./Thrive Community Services, also remains closed due to the structural instability of 149-151 E. Main St.
Galesburg Fire Department personnel have determined the fire started on the third floor of the building, however the cause of the fire is undetermined. The fire investigation is ongoing.
