Mr. Bill Adams

Bill Adams, Licensed in Illinois & IowaMel Foster Co. - Agent Profile
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Bill Adams, Licensed in Illinois & Iowa

The owner of the vacant historic landmarks -- Chris Larson of neighboring Larson Funeral Home, 2106 7th Ave. -- and Realtor Bill Adams of Mel Foster Co. decided recently to let the listings expire.
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"We've had a tremendous amount of interest in both buildings," Mr. Adams said."They are two historic buildings that should be saved."

Mr. Adams said that despite pleas from him to lower the prices, and a June 30 fire that further damaged the school, Mr. Larson would not decrease the prices.
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Within the past 60 days, vandals threw rocks through some of the stained-glass windows in the church, Mr. Adams said."That really was upsetting to me.
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There are a lot of people that have fond memories of going to school there," Mr. Adams said.Potential Lincoln buyers included developers, and one that had rehabilitated historic buildings in Washington, D.C., he said.

"He knew what he was doing.In the end, he was overwhelmed" by the likely scope and cost of the renovation, Mr. Adams said.
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Mr. Adams said showing the building has been very difficult, due to its damage, and state of disrepair.

The ground floor is "completely dark" because of boarded-up windows and lack of electricity, he said.Plus, there's a lot of debris in the form of architectural artifacts such as wood and windows, Mr. Adams said.

Even if the city acquires it, the task for developers is daunting.

"The city may have a different starting point on asking price to get it going," Mr. Adams said.
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The First Church of Christ Scientist at 700 22nd St. actually may be a bigger hurdle, Mr. Adams said."The church is more problematical in terms of re-use.It doesn't convey easily to being retail, office, or another re-use.

"Generally, there are quite a few congregations in the Quad-Cities that are looking for permanent homes," Mr. Adams said, but there's not much parking available there.

One potential buyer thought about converting the church to a banquet hall, but would need more parking, he said.

"Another challenge for a congregation, you have a church building that just eats money," Mr. Adams said.