Work could begin as soon as today on tearing down three vacant downtown buildings in Odin that are in the process of collapse.
The village board in a special Thursday night meeting approved the demolition at a cost of $80,000 to $85,000. Pete Aydt of rural Centralia will do the work.
The village is getting $20,000 from the Illinois Historic Preservation Office for saving several pieces from the buildings that are said to have historical significance. They will be required to deliver four decorative metal pillars on one of the buildings, a decorative metal covering on the second floor of another building, and three window toppers to the office’s warehouse in Sauget.
Aydt will be paid $20,000 up front with payments then spread out over the next three years for the rest of the work. The payments will allow the village not to face the entire expense at once.
Over time, the village acquired all three buildings near the Kirkwood and Perkins Street intersection with the knowledge they would have to eventually be torn down.
