Tagged: Ed Basch

Those who own property in Macomb’s downtown historic district will be receiving a phone call from the city.

Community Development Coordinator Ed Basch told aldermen the district has been in place for more than two years so he believes it’s time for some feedback from those most directly impacted.

Basch thinks a phone survey will result in more responses than a mailed or web-based questionnaire. He said it’s a short survey of five questions.

Macomb is facing the same problem the Five Man Electrical Band sang about in 1971: “Signs, Signs, Everywhere there's signs, Blocking out the scenery, Breaking my mind.”

Macomb's issue is with all the signs being hung from the Chandler Park fence. It's a great location to hang a banner because it's right along the highway and across the street from the train depot. Numerous organizations have started placing banners there to promote various causes and events. But the city has a problem with the practice.

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council is recommending the Old Bailey House in Macomb be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Macomb Community Development Coordinator Ed Basch said such recognition could help the city earn national historic designation for the entire downtown district.

“The more contributing structures -- as they call them -- and the more distinguished structures that you have in the district, the better off you are for the entire area being designated,” said Basch.