Here’s what it would cost to tear down the former Elks Club in downtown Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — It could cost the city nearly a quarter of a million dollars to raze the historic former Elks Club and an old law office next door if aldermen opt to move forward with the demolition.

The city opened bids Tuesday for the demolition of the former Elks Lodge No. 64, 210 W. Jefferson St. and the adjoining 222 N. Wyman St., as well as the city-owned former Nicolosi law offices at 221 N. Main St. All three buildings were grouped together in the city’s request for demolition bids.

The low bid came from Northern Illinois Service Co. at $233,108 for all three buildings.

That was one of three companies to respond to the city’s public bid. The others came from N-Trak Group of Loves Park at $243,400 and Green Demolition Contractors at $601,873. An estimate from 2021 had put demolition costs at roughly $500,000.

City Council members would have to decide whether to go forward with the demolition. There is no timeline yet for when aldermen would be asked to consider the measure.

“We are carefully reviewing the bids while waiting for the full report from Landmark Illinois’ assessment and our public safety considerations before determining next steps,” the city said in a statement to the Rock River Current.

Mark McInnis, the owner of the 113-year-old building, has asked aldermen to wait for an online auction through Crexi.com to run Sept. 15-17. He expects a buyer will emerge who can redevelop and save the building.

“There are verifiable potential buyers from California, Florida, Texas, New York, etc. who are interested,” McInnis said in remarks prepared for City Council members that he shared with the Rock River Current. “Investors who have real estate portfolios in the hundreds of millions and funds on hand in the tens of millions.”

McInnis also said another developer has approached him about the property separate from the online auction.

McInnis through Argyll Properties bought the property for $15,000 in 2011. He has said that he tried for years to redevelop the building, but ultimately exhausted all his resources and was unable to complete the project. Now he wants to sell and give a new developer a shot at restoring the building.

“I have brought over a dozen people including at least nine restaurateurs through the building. When they see the ballroom for the first time, they gasp in wonder,” McInnis said. “Now, I ask you, how many buildings or attractions in Rockford take your breath away. None that I know of, but I have witnessed the Elks taking people’s breath away. And that’s in its current state. So please, let’s not even think about tearing this wonder down.”

Level a landmark?

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission is also urging aldermen to pause any demolition talks while they wait to learn the results of an independent architect’s review of the property. Mary Brush of Chicago-based Brush Architects went through the property on Thursday to conduct a pro bono assessment. Her report is expected soon.

“Historic buildings of this caliber, being that its already recognized as a national landmark, are few and far between,” said Alderman Mark Bonne, who is also a part of the Historic Preservation Commission.  “We should leave no stone unturned in our attempt to salvage them rather than demolish them.”

The former Elks Club was designed by Lawrence Buck and built in 1912, featuring Prairie and Greek Revival architectural styles. It’s highlighted by a third floor ballroom and a lower level that includes a bowling alley.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and in the West Downtown Rockford Historic District. It was placed on Landmark Illinois’ list of the most endangered historic places in the state in 2022.

The city sought bids for demolition after a legal battle with the owner that spanned roughly seven years. A judge gave the city the authority to demolish the property if McInnis hadn’t fixed or razed it by Jan. 3, 2022. The city previously said it delayed any action in hopes the owner could redevelop the property, but it was moving forward after years of inaction.

City officials say the property has deteriorated with holes in the roof that have made the building unsafe. McInnis has countered by saying that he has made public safety-related fixes but held off on larger projects such as roof replacement and masonry work on the advice of his historic building consultant.

He said he made another quick fix last week after Brush toured the property. During that tour, they noticed a portion of the copper cladding was dangling. He said he went to the building the next day with a 50-foot lift and crew and reattached it using long sheet metal screws.

Paying for demo

If the city were to demolish the property, it would place liens on the building in an attempt to recover the cost to taxpayers.

However, Bonne said it’s unlikely the city would recoup those costs. Instead, the city would likely foreclose on those liens and take ownership of an empty parcel of land.

“At the end of the day, we’re very likely to end up with the property,” Bonne said. “But by that time it will be a pile of rubble instead of a building that we might be able to save.”

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