Grace Hall - July 21?

Nothing is certain until an Agenda for City Council meetings is published, and it's not even certain then, but rumor has it that the "Grace Hall" issue will spring to life again on Tuesday, July 21, 7:00PM, at the Woodstock City Council meeting in City Hall.

If you care about the future of Woodstock and the beauty of the City, be at this City Council meeting. Bring your family and your neighbors. Bring your kids, who will want a beautiful city for their residence and for their kids. Plan to speak up at the City Council meeting. Plan to say what you want to say, even if 25 people before you have said the same thing.

Do not accept any suggestion that, if someone else has already voiced your opinion, you do not need to do so. Yes, you DO need to do so.

"Grace Hall" won't be on the Agenda; it'll be called a Woodstock Christian Life Services matter.

There will probably be an overflow crowd that night. If past meetings are any indication, many, many employees of WCLS will attend to praise the work of WCLS and say again and again how proud they are to work there and what dedicated work they do. "Now please let Grace Hall be torn down."

Let's hope that, finally, many others in Woodstock will shake off the heat of the day and show up at City Hall to say that they do care and appreciate the work that WCLS does and that they do NOT want Grace Hall torn down.

If the demolition of Grace Hall is so important to the future of WCLS, what will happen when the next crisis arises? And there is nothing else left to tear down?

Grace Hall has historical and architectural value, which has been well-documented (and little publicized) by the Historic Preservation Commission, a public body of the City of Woodstock.

There is considerable information about this available to the public in the Woodstock City Code. Go to www.woodstockil.gov
On the left side, click on City Code
Click on Title 7
Click on Chapter 7
Read Section 7.7.3.1
Re-read Section 7.7.3.1 (it's short)

In about November 2008 the Historic Preservation Commission recommended Landmark status of Grace Hall to the Woodstock City Council. The Council chose never to consider the recommendation until May 2009, when it was time to consider (approve) the WCLS request to demolish it. And even then, the Council failed to consider the recommendation.

Mayor Sager moved to table the recommendation and proceed with consideration of the WCLS petition for a Special Use Permit (request to tear down Grace Hall). The other members of the Council could have let his Motion die for lack of a second or vote it down, but they approved the tabling of it.

When it was approaching time to vote on the WCLS petition, it was clear to all in the room that the majority of the Council intended to vote against the petition. In a surprise move, the Mayor handed a delay to the attorney for WCLS. Everyone knew they'd be back, and it appears that they will be back on July 21.

It is interesting that WCLS has not presented specific development plans (site plan, building drawings, environmental impact, etc.) to the Plan Commission or the City. It's like, "Let us tear it down. You'll like what we will build."

Before the City Council approves demolition of a historic structure, it ought to demand the same plans as it would of any other developer. In other words, "Let's see what you have up your sleeve. Show us your building plans. Show us your financial viability to stay in business if we approve what you want."