The Bank of Carbondale will take full possession of the condemned Elkhurst Apartments building in downtown Du Quoin from owners Ace and Wanda Keller, the mayor’s office learned on Monday.
The building is known to most as the Elks Lodge building immediately north of the Du Quoin Post Office on North Washington Street.
The City of Du Quoin shut down the building to all occupancy nearly two weeks ago after water was shut off because of a major water line leak on the lower floor, black mold growing on several walls, trash, a flea infestation and garbage piling up in one of the apartments and numerous electrical and fire code violations.
Mayor Guy Alongi said it is good that there is constructive dialogue between the city and the bank, which held the mortgage on the property. He has no idea what the bank’s future intentions are. The only possibilities that lie ahead are a costly historic renovation, demolition or sale of the property to someone who wants to deal with it.
At this writing, one outcome seems to be demolition with some idea of working with the United States Postal Service on acquiring the property for expanded postal employee and customer parking behind the post office.
It could take months or even years before there is a resolution. All occupants have now vacated the premises and it is very secure.
