The owner of the historic Eagle Hotel along Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., has paid the $45,000 he owed the city plus a very small amount of interest since his contact expired in May, reports the Joliet Herald News.
Owner Bill Scales failed in to live up to an agreement to rehab the 19th-century building and have it reopened within a five-year span. The City of Wilmington had waived the $45,000 cost of the building to help Scales get his project going.
Scales’ plan is to turn the building into an upscale restaurant with some sleeping rooms upstairs. […]
At previous meetings, Scale blamed the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina for draining federal dollars he feels were earmarked for this project. He feels funds could come in the form of an appropriation through Sen. Dick Durbin’s office. […]
Officials previously have gone on record saying they support the project and would continue to write letters of support of Scales needed them to secure funding.
Scales reportedly said he needs another $1 million to finish the project. Here’s hoping it actually does get finished.