The Tazewell County Board unanimously approved to purchase the Pekin Daily Times building last night.  Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports:

Tazewell County is acquiring the property for $255,000 as well as an adjacent piece of land.  Officials say the plan is to demolish the landmark building and use the space for additional parking spaces.  Melida Heien is director of Pekin Main Street, a non-profit historic preservation organization.  She says the building should be preserved.

“Is parking always available?  Yes.  Is it always convenient?  No,” Heien says.

“Is sacrificing a stalwart in our downtown for the sake of convenience worth the price?  No.”

Heien said after the vote she hopes the city can work with Pekin Main Street to help in designing the parking lot and layout.  Board member John Ackerman says the purchase of the Pekin Times property was necessary.

“Right next to the County, we couldn’t have asked for a better spot,” Ackerman says.

“We do have a parking issue with jurors.  Our jurors need additional parking spaces.  Anybody who comes down for jury duty knows we have a 20-car-lot for 80 to 100 people to park in.”

The property closing deadline is set for February and the newspaper is currently looking for another location to set up.  In other business the Board approved measures that allow the County to apply for grants to pay for road improvements around Excel Foundry south of Pekin.  Officials say the company could possibly add 50 or more jobs if the area infrastructure is improved.