Springfield's downtown may be closer to losing a longtime fixture. The City Council could take action soon on demolishing the YWCA Building to make way for new development.
The more than century old structure at 421 E. Jackson St. has been the subject of debate over whether it should stay or go. The city owns the property and the council members have overwhelmingly made clear where they stand. This week, the mayor and all but one alderman showed they are in agreement to overrule the Springfield Historic Sites Commission. That panel had denied a demolition request. A final council decision could come in early December.
“It’s incredibly disappointing the city should be so closed minded when we have a (development firm) that says we can do it,” said Mike Jackson with the grassroots Save The Y Coalition.
The city has estimated the cost of refurbishing the existing building could be $9 million or more. That's a daunting amount, according to city leaders who see the old YWCA as a key part in redeveloping downtown Springfield.
But Jackson said if the buidling is spared, a developer could receive some government subsidies to offset the price tag.
Jackson is retired from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, where he had served as Chief Architect and headed the Preservation Services division. Jackson said the YWCA Building is already a city landmark and has played a role in the history of Springfield, as well as women and African Americans.
He also believes starting with an existing building can help a development achieve completion faster.
There is still no determination on what the property could be used for in the future. Discussions have included residential and commercial purposes.
Jackson adds the building has a roof leak. But it’s not beyond repair. And he points out there is a demand for rehabbing older buildings, with high ceilings and more character.
“The City of Springfield is foreclosing any opportunity to do that because of this perceived idea that an empty lot is going to be developable, when we have so many empty lots in this town that nobody is doing anything with,” he said.
“Springfield sends out an international reputation as a place of history,” Jackson said. “It’s kind of a sad state of affairs that the city that has got such an international reputation can’t seem to, at a local level, show that it means what it says to the world.”
