Blighted Galesburg hotel to be demolished floor by floor. Mayor envisions ‘high quality hotel or civic center’

The former Broadview Inn & Suites, 29 Public Square, Galesburg. (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)

Those hoping for a dramatic implosion of a dilapidated hotel on the Public Square in Downtown Galesburg will have to settle for a floor-by-floor demolition method.

The Galesburg City Council on Monday will be asked to accept a bid of of $406,470.23 to demolish the former Broadview Inn & Suites and accompanying restaurant. If approved, JIMAX Demolition Corporation of Peoria will take down the structures by mechanical means, rather than using explosives or a wrecking ball.

Director of Community Development Steve Gugliotta tells WGIL demolition by mechanical means allowed bids to be open to a larger number of contractors and more competitive pricing, as opposed to only contractors who are licensed for explosives handling in Illinois.

Gugliotta said the use of explosives would have also opened the project up to other laws, regulations and safety concerns and required a contractor to submit a demolition plan, sealed by an engineer, that includes safety for public, traffic, adjacent properties, and the environment (dust, vibration, debris, projectiles, etc).

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Bids for the demolition ranged from $406,470 to $1,036,800. According to the agenda item, there are applicable funds available in the Fiscal year 2023 budget from the Property Redevelopment and TIFF 4 to complete the demolition.

Once the demolition begins, it is anticipated it will be completed within 110 days. At this time it is not anticipated that traffic would need to be diverted for extended periods of time, according to Gugliotta.

Following demolition, the majority of the lot will be grass, with a smaller portion on the south portion of the property that will still have the asphalt pavement.

Gugliotta said once the property is demolished, the city will file a lien on the property and then does have the option of filing to foreclose on the property.

“The building has become a menace to our community and given its location it has projected an image that is the antithesis of the positive one I, and other councilors, have been promoting for many years.” — Mayor Peter Schwartzman

Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman tells WGIL he’s looking forward to the removal of the blighted structures on the Public Square. 

“I am so happy to see the Broadview come down,” Schwartzman said. “It has been a priority of mine for the last three years. In order to get to this point, it has required dedicated and creative efforts from our city legal team and other city staff.

“The building has become a menace to our community and given its location it has projected an image that is the antithesis of the positive one I, and other councilors, have been promoting for many years.”

The mayor said he looks forward to the city engaging the site in economic development as soon as possible. 

“A high quality hotel or civic center may provide the best option,” Schwartzman said. “We will see increases in visitors to Galesburg over the coming years and they will need more places to stay. We also hope to attract conventions here.”

A order for demolition of the former Broadview Inn & Suites was granted in early December by the Ninth Judicial Court, Knox County,

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