Rockford pauses plans to demolish former grocery store on West State Street

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

ROCKFORD — City Council members have pushed back plans to tear down a former grocery store on West State Street after the alderwoman who represents the area raised an issue with demolition.

Alderwoman Linda McNeely, a Democrat who represents the 13th Ward, said she wants to see the former Al-Mart grocery store at 2323 W. State St. reused.

“I hate to see buildings go away within my area that could be revamped … because we’re in need of different properties for various uses,” she said during Monday’s City Council meeting. “Anyone can go through the 13th Ward, certainly go down West State Street, and see that there’s a lack of properties for retail as well as activities needed in that area.”

City Council news: Rockford to tear down Lorden building as part of Davis Park makeover

McNeely said the property would make an ideal location for a community center.

“There are community centers throughout the city, but in this part of the city where they’re located are not convenient for kids to come make use of it,” she said.

City staff members, however, say the city-owned building is too dilapidated to be saved. They feel that tearing down the property is the best way to set the stage for a new business to take root in the area.

“Certainly it is a great location. There are potential redevelopment opportunities going forward,” said Karl Franzen, the city’s director of community and economic development. “But the actual rehab of the building is not viable market-wise.”

Council members were set to approve a contract with N-TRAK Group of Loves Park to raze the building at a cost of $104,780 before McNeely raised objection. Instead, they decided to delay the vote for 30 days to give McNeely time to discuss the matter with city staff. 

City Council news: Rockford wants future seasons of ‘A League of Their Own’ filmed here

A vote to delay demolition passed 11-1 with Alderman Bill Rose voting against.

McNeely also drew a comparison between the former grocery store and a building at 1311 N. Main St. that the city has purchased as part of a plan to turn it into a small business development center.

“I didn’t support the North Main proposal given that this building was available at that time and way before that time,” McNealy said.

Franzen said the West State property, however, is “significantly smaller” and “in significantly greater disrepair” than the North Main Building that will become a small development center.

“It is staff belief that 2323 is not a viable redevelopment opportunity,” Franzen said Monday. “It is city-owned, and so an ongoing obligation for upkeep and maintenance and security.”

Other demolitions

The city will pay $13,685 to DPI Construction of Pecatonica to raze a condemned residential building next to Faith Temple Church, 1406 School St.

City Council members approved that demolition on Monday. Franzen said tearing down the abandoned house supports the church’s development plans.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.