Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Historic Preservation Commission met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Valerie Olafson, Jennifer Spencer, Brad Benedict, Alderman Mark Bonne Absent: Amanda Becker, Frank St. Angel, Maureen Kirschmann

Staff: Rudy Moreno, Scott Capovilla, John Wuich, Nelson Sjostrom, Erin Hannigan, Angela Hammer, Sarah Leys

Other: Mark McInnis, Jennifer McInnis, Gary Anderson, Gary Carlson and other interested parties

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairperson Spencer

Roll Call and Determination of Quorum:

Four members present and three absent – Quorum

Public Hearing:

None

Approval of Minutes

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Benedict to APPROVE the July 8, 2025 meeting minutes. The MOTION was SECONDED by Alderman Bonne and CARRIED by a vote of 3-0. Commissioner Olafson abstained from voting as she was not present at the last meeting.

Unfinished Business:

None

New Business:

None

Open Discussion of the Elks Club Building at 210 West Jefferson Street

Commissioner Spencer advised the HPC on purpose of the meeting, and read the court order to bring the building into compliance or demolish the former Elks Club Building. Mark McInnis, building owner, presented to the commission. Mr. McInnis described his experiences with various historical organizations and his experiences as a former resident of Rockford. Mr. McInnis then went over the history, existing conditions, and repairs made to the building during the fifteen years of his ownership. Mr. McInnis described his previous attempts to sell the building and claimed to have invested around $150,000 into the Property. Mr. McInnis noted that the property is currently for auction online through a company called Crexi. Mr. McInnis concluded urging the HPC to do what they can to save the Elks Club.

Erin Hannigan, Assistant City Attorney, went over the past code violations and the process that led to the order to demolition the building. Ms. Hannigan explained, the case was field in circuit court in 2018 because the property was determined to be unsafe. Ms. Hannigan further explained in addition to showing the property is unsafe, the court also has to determine if the repair value grossly outweighs the value of the property. The city requested the court determine two things: 1) a court order that the property owner either repair or demolish; and 2) the option for the city to demolish if the owner fails to comply. In 2021,after a bench trial, the court found the property was dangerous, posed a hazard to the public, and was beyond reasonable repair based on the data provided by the city and a feasibility study conducted in 2020 by a third party. Ms. Hannigan further explained it was decided repairs were not feasible due to the cost of repair grossly outweighing the value of the property. The judge gave the owner until January 2022 to make the necessary repairs or demolish. The owner never complied with the order. All motions to reconsider and appeals of the order were denied. There are at least 7 orders of the court to repair that has not been complied with. Ms. Hannigan emphasized the issue is public safety and gave a brief summary of existing conditions.

Nelson Sjostrom, Rockford Building Official, shared photos of the former Elks Club Building taken in 2024. Mr. Sjostrom described the existing code violations and current conditions. Mr. Sjostrom then indicated the estimated costs of bringing the building into compliance likely far exceed the property’s value based on a feasibility study conducted in 2020. Mr. Sjostrom elaborated that the owner has failed to provide repairs to temporarily bring it into compliance. Commissioner Spencer and Mr. Sjostrom discussed the “red x” sign placed on the front entrance by the fire department.

Commissioner Spencer read a letter from Landmark Illinois in support of preventing the demolition of the former Elks Club Building.

Alderman Bonne and Attorney Hannigan discussed the amount of money invested by Mr. McInnis compared to the value to the property.

Alderman Bonne asked Mr. McInnis if he would be willing to gift the building to the city of Rockford. Mr. McInnis refused to gift the building to the city due to the amount of money he had invested into the property and his current financial situation. McInnis explained he would like to be compensated for the amount of money and time he put into the building.

Mr. McInnis asked if the feasibility study presented by the city factored in historic tax credits. City legal staff and HPC agreed that this is not an appropriate question for during this meeting. Mr. McInnis then compared the former Elks Club building’s condition to other historical properties and denied that he failed to provide the necessary repairs.

Commissioner Olafson commented that the building was in great condition when she walked through the interior of the property before McInnis took ownership. Commissioner Olafson expressed doubt that Mr. McInnis is good steward of the property and suggested he should sell the building. McInnis disagreed with Commissioner Olafson’s statement. Commissioner Olafson inquired on the condition of the roof and asked if there are still holes in the roof. Mr. McInnis confirmed there are still hoes in the roof and implied he was in the process of repairing them.

Mr. McInnis disputed Mr. Sjostrom’s earlier comment regarding the “red-x” sign placed on his building.

Alderman Bonne asked Mr. McInnis how will he pay for the cost of demolition. McInnis refused to answer the question without legal counsel. Alderman Bonne asked Mr. McInnis why he doesn’t want to gift the property to the City to potentially avoid the cost of demolition. Mr. McInnis implied he invested too much money into the building to gift it to the city. Mr. McInnis claimed he currently is working with an auction site, Crexi, to sell the building. Alderman Bonne asked Mr. McInnis if he would consider gifting it to the City if the auction fails to produce a buyer. Mr. McInnis implied he would consider gifting it to the City if the auction fails. Commissioner Spencer and Mr. McInnis discussed the timeline for the auction.

Commissioner Spencer and Alderman Bonne noted that the photos on the Crexi website appear to have been taken many years before the photos shown by the city. Mr. McInnis claimed the photos provided by the city are misleading and insisted the building is in solid condition. Alderman Bonne asked city staff what the legal options are on behalf of the city other than demolition. Angela Hammer, Director of the Legal Department, recommended that the discussion is more appropriate for an executive session with city council. Alderman Bonne asked city staff how often City Council was updated on the Elks Club status. Ms. Hammer suggested she follow-up with Alderman Bonne on the matter.

Alderman Bonne asked City staff if the former Elks Club Building’s existing condition is extraordinary when compared to other local historical buildings. Mr. Sjostrom confirmed that some of the buildings had similar conditions.

Alderman Bonne asked if the city was given a deadline for demolition. Ms. Hannigan clarified the city was given a timeline on when the city is authorized to act.

Commissioner Benedict asked if there was a reason why the building was not condemned. Commissioner Spencer clarified the building is condemned.

Gary Anderson, architect, commented on the photos provided by the City. Mr. Anderson suggested that the conditions are not that different from other historical restoration projects. Mr. Anderson suggested the city pursue foreclosure of the current liens. Mr. Anderson feels the city is not doing enough to prevent derelict buildings and is at the mercy of bad landlords. Mr. Anderson commented on the Midway Theater. Mr. Anderson suggested that the city take control of the former Elks Club Building. Mr. Anderson disputed the feasibility study.

Gary Carlson, former HPC member, voiced his support for preserving the former Elks Club Building. Mr. Carlson expressed skepticism on the efficacy of auctioning the building online. Jennifer McInnis, wife of Mark McInnis, explained she thought the funding sources would be available when they purchased the building. Mrs. McInnis expressed hope that the auction will be successful and her support for her husband’s stewardship of the building. Mrs. McInnis explained she wants the building to be restored and would like to see more development downtown. Mrs. McInnis affirmed her opposition to the demolition of the former Elks Club Building.

Mr. McInnis refuted Gary Andersons comments referring to him as a derelict owner. Mr. McInnis claimed Gary Anderson’s role in preserving the building would be a conflict of interest. Mr. McInnis encountered difficulty in finding funding to restore the building.

Commissioner Spencer commented on the difficulties of restoring historic properties. Commissioner Spencer expressed concern with McInnis’ claim that his consultant advised against tuckpointing the building. Commissioner Spencer advised that it is the duty of the HPC to provide a recommendation to City Council.

Commissioner Benedict asked who gets ownership of the property if the building is demolished. Ms. Hannigan clarified that the building owner will still own the property, but will have to pay for the cost of the demolition. Failure to pay will result in a lien. Foreclosure of the demolition lien, will result in sale or the city can take ownership of the property.

Commissioner Spencer suggested the city should attempt to gain ownership or allow the property to be sold.

Ald. Bonne and Ms. Hammer discussed the City’s legal options to obtain ownership of the property.

Commissioner Benedict asked Ms. Hammer if there’s been any discussions about the city purchasing the property from the owner. Ms. Hammer said she was not aware of any discussion to purchase the property.

Mr. McInnis explained he had his attorney ask the city if they wanted to buy the building from him in January, but the city declined.

Alderman Bonne asked city staff if Mr. McInnis’ statement was true. Ms. Hammer stated she would determine what, if any, discussions occurred regarding the city potentially purchasing the property and get back to Alderman Bonne.

Commissioner Spencer motioned for a recommendation to City Council to reject or indefinitely lay over a bid for demolition of the Elks Club until a third-party assessment, conducted by Landmarks Illinois at no cost, is provided an opportunity to inspect and advise on its redevelopment. Additionally, HPC recommends the city explore further options to obtain and preserve the building.

The HPC unanimously supported delaying the demolition of the former Elks Club Building to allow Landmarks Illinois to perform feasibility study.

Alderman Bonne and Ms. Hammer discussed the demolition order.

Communication and staff report:

None

Adjournment:

With no other business Alderman Bonne made a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Olafson and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 pm

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