Possible New Use for Former Effingham State Bank Building

Midland States Bank is wanting to repurpose their former bank building at Jefferson and 5th downtown into an extended stay venue that also incorporates business facilities.

The building, which has existed since the 19th century, was the headquarters for Effingham State Bank until it was acquired by Midland States Bank. When Midland built its new downtown facility on the corner of Section and 4th, it left the historic building vacant.

Lee Harms of Midland said the interest in the building in its current form has been slim, so the plan is designed to make the building useful and also provide a place to stay for those working for a period of time for the Midland corporate facility on Althoff Drive.

Harms said the remodeling building would house living space, a workout area, meeting rooms, a business center, laundry facilities and other amenities. The parking in the rear would suffice for those staying in the building.

City Engineer Jeremy Heuerman asked City Plan Commission members to review the project at their meeting Tuesday night to provide input. The project was welcomed, but Commissioners want to make sure residential development downtown is limited.

The favored idea was to develop a special-use permit that could be granted in a B-3 zoning district. The City currently prohibits residences on the first floor in the downtown area, so such a use would be included in the special-use permit and guidelines would be prohibitive enough to restrict such residential projects.

It's expected the matter will be revisited by the Plan Commission at their December meeting, with adoption of the changes allowing the special-use permit to be on the agenda.

The Plan Commission also recommended City Council approval of a plat of Purcell Subdivision. It's a six-lot development by the Lake Pauline dam on Marguerite Lane. Two of the lots are already developed. The Commission also recommended vacation of a portion of a street on the property, and a rezoning of one lot at 1501 Marguerite Lane on which a house is to be built for Gerald and Patricia Purcell, who own the property.

The Commission recommended the City Council rezone property at 15421 East Highway 33 from non-urban to general commercial district for Sandschafer Electric Properties. Tony Sandschafer of Sandschafer Electric and Dennis Deters of Double D Signs said there is a plan to place a double-decker billboard on the lot, facing the highway.

Commissioners recommended the Council rezoning a lot on the southwest corner of Evergreen and 4th from single-family residence district to light industrial district and grant a special-use permit. The changes would allow the house there to be used as a veterinary hospital, animal clinic and kennel.

Also recommended for approval is a rezoning from non-urban district to single-family residence district of a lot north of Galvin Street in Rollin Hills Subdivision. A house is to be located on the lot.

The Commission also approved a name change of property owned by the Goldstein family to Golden Fields Subdivision.