It looks like another former school will be coming down in Rock Island. This, will be to make way for a new business. Rock Island/Milan school leaders voted Tuesday night to sell the old Audubon Elementary to Fareway Stores, Inc.
It's going to be another new business to add to the busy 18th Avenue corridor. The 90-year old Audubon Elementary School has been empty since 2010. It's selling for $475,000 to Fareway Stores. Many are excited the property will be back to use, but also say it's tough to trade out another building rich with history.
Fareway is a company some in Rock Island have been hoping to attract for years.
"It's very exciting. I have people tell me all the time they drive over to Moline to the Fareway to buy their meat or other kinds of foods from that store so it will be great," said Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley.
Audubon was built 1922. Declined enrollment forced the district to restructure and it closed in 2010. It no doubt holds a lot of memories, even some from Mayor Pauley.
"I went to grade school at Audubon so it's sentimental. But it is time to move on and put the property back into good use."
He expects a lot of concern about losing the building , especially with the city demolishing the old Lincoln School just this year. "We looked at the old Country Market and several other spots. This particular facility was the one that best met their needs for the size," said Pauley.
We asked you on facebook what your thoughts are on the building coming down to make way for a well-known Midwest grocer. Brad Yeager said, "lots of memories there...all things must come to an end...on with the new."
Bev Davis wrote, "it is so sad to see the older building with character torn down. too bad it couldn't be made into apartments or something."
Beth Mosley said, "at least there will be more jobs given to the area."
This also means putting the property back to use. This was the first offer the district received since it was put market two years ago.
"They've tried to put other things in their and they just haven't had a bid," added Pauley.
Details on the size of the facility or when it will be open are not yet available, but some are sure it will have a positive impact on the area.
"Now with this is gives us great opportunities. In 2015 the road is going to be re-surfaced so that's going to be nice," he said.
There's no word on a timeline for demolition. Fareway representatives declined to comment at Tuesday night's meeting. The company has several locations in the Quad Cities area including: Davenport, Bettendorf and Moline.
