Alexander Lumber Co. Building Likely to be Demolished

The Alexander Lumber Co. building has sat empty since 2006 at 59 Adams Street in downtown Oswego.

The deteriorating building has become an eyesore and Village Administrator Steve Jones said the structure has become a target for graffiti as well.

The building, which sits on a 2.3 acre of land, also regularly floods, making it unappealing to potential buyers.

Soon though, the building may be gone.

Jones said the Village has had many discussions with the owner of Alexander Lumber Co., Walter Alexander. The company owns and operates a total of 23 retail yards, 18 of which are in Illinois and not including Oswego.

Jones said there are two options to be done with the building: demolish it or make improvements.

“They are moving towards demolition,” said Jones.

The board approved 4-0 Tuesday night on a resolution to authorize the demolition of the property that would not require Alexander Lumber to remove all of the concrete or foundation: just the building.

“It won’t be something protruding from the ground,” said Jones of what would be left behind following the demolition.

He said that at some point a full demolition would be done to the site when a new buyer expressed an interest.

As of now there is no timeline for when the demolition might occur, but Jones said the Village was “very optimistic” that Alexander Lumber would proceed with the demolition.