DANVILLE — The Danville City Council Tuesday night approved a study to determine the feasibility of developing the downtown Adams Building, and giving the arena up to $275,000 to fix its heating, air conditioning and ventilation units.
For the arena, the council voted 12-2 on the American Rescue Plan Act re-allocations due to Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation not being ready or needing ARPA funds for its second planned location and final clinic on the former St. Elizabeth Hospital site.
Aldermen Jon Cooper and Ed Butler voted against the reallocations. The rest of the $500,000 APRA funding allocation that was to be for SIHF is going to Garfield Park improvements – $170,000; and fire trucks – $50,669.59 additional funds for purchase of Ferrara Cinder Custom Pumper.
Cooper said he’s concerned that Vermilion County hasn’t yet put in any money to help the arena to match other funding.
Arena General Manager Teri Gaffney said they want to run a full entertainment and sports complex. They are a little restrained right now. She said she can’t put a building full of people in the arena during the summer without air conditioning right now.
“That’s restricted us somewhat,” she said.
Gaffney said it’s estimated to take 30 weeks for the materials to get all eight HVAC units working again. Six are currently not working.
Gaffney also said they have plans for a basketball team from May to July next season; and a comedy show in May; in addition to hockey.
“Our intention is to do more,” she said.
Cooper said, “I’m glad to hear that.”
He thinks the community wants to see events there at least every other month.
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. also told the aldermen that they don’t reward poor stewardship, but the new arena board and officials are making progress.
Williams said he has confidence the arena is moving back to where it needs to be.
Also Tuesday, 13 future soldiers of Danville were recognized by Sergeant Johnathan Strand, station commander for U.S. Army recruiting, with city certificates and awards of excellence, in addition to recognitions to 1st Sgt. Charles Powell at Danville High School and Williams for the city’s support.
The council also heard that Community Relations Administrator Ashton Greer is resigning as of June 1.
The city’s agenda Tuesday night also didn’t include proposed solid waste collection fee increases.
In other business, the council approved:
A $38,700 feasibility study with Farnsworth Group of Champaign, for 139/141 Vermilion St., the Adams Building, in Downtown Danville. Aldermen Cooper and Rick Strebing voted against it.A $38,380 contract with Bob Brown Excavating of Danville for the already completed demolitions of dilapidated structures at 210 and 212 N. Bowman Ave.Purchasing 21 Home St., 334 Harmon St., 502 and 504 Robinson St., and 708 Robinson Street for $50,000 from Willard Cameron Jr. for community improvement and blight removal. Paying $48,186 in repairs, engine replacement, by Coffman’s Truck Service and Towing of Danville to the John Deere loader used at the city’s yard waste site due to engine failure.A $22,813 finance budget amendment with Azavar Government Solutions.Increasing the $18,528 purchase order by $5,594, due to actual price of parts and labor, by Macqueen Emergency Group for repairs to the digital screens of fire apparatus Truck 1.