Genevans, the Historic Preservation Commission applauded for saving the distinctive downtown landmark, once scheduled for demolition.
At first, it was curious that more people weren't attending Tuesday's Historic Preservation Commission meeting, considering the topic was the Pure Oil Building. But it's also easy to see why the meeting wasn't a big deal. After all, HPC support for putting the Pure Oil building on the National Register is a no-brainer if ever there was one. Historic Prevervation Commissioner Mike Bruno described the domestic cottage-style structure as "one of the most valuable and iconic buildings in (its) place and time." "I don't think there's any question about our vote on this," Bruno said. "We've been neck deep or deeper in the preservation of this building." Indeed, few topics in Geneva during that past year that have generated more conversation, …
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At a Tuesday night meeting, the once-controversial Pure Oil plan glides through the City Council's consent agenda.
With neither a bang nor a whimper, Geneva City Council members approved plans to convert the historic Pure Oil Building bays into drive-through lanes for St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, which will be located in Joe Stanton's building at 514 W. State St. On Tuesday night, the council granted a special use permit for the drive-through. While banks are allowed in the B-2 business district, the drive-through facility requires the special use permit. The Geneva Zoning Ordinance will be amended, as well. The ordinance now requires drive-through banking facilities to provide reservoir space for five times the number of teller windows, but the applicant is proposing to provide reservoir space for three times the number of teller windows. The …
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9:25 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
It was a good effort, folks. At least we were able to prevent them demolishing the building. more ›
Mike Bruno
9:37 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Well, I think putting a bank drive-through (and a bank) is a travesty in terms of municipal planning, but the building was preserved as well as it realistically could have. The street-side facades are being restored to their original condition. Some very nice landscape/hardscape is going in. The building (as a gas station) really is little more than a shell. There was an addition at the rear that… more ›