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City to review restoration costs in budget talks
Elgin’s oldest home is headed into public ownership after City Council recently voted to accept a historic property donation and set the stage for future preservation efforts.
The city agreed to accept the Mary Christian Burleson Homestead and surrounding property from the Mary Christian Burleson Foundation. The move comes after months of discussions on costs associated with maintaining the homestead as part of the city’s park system.
The donation includes $7,000 to be put toward an estimated $30,000 in improvements needed to make the grounds safe and accessible for public use, leaving the city to fund the remaining $23,000 from the general fund.
That estimate only covers making the grounds safe for public access, according to Recreation Program Manager Riggin Anderson, and does not include further restoration or renovations needed for the home itself.
Proposed improvements include decorative fencing around the house, filling two abandoned wells, landscaping, trail connections and signage detailing the site’s history. Filling the two wells would cost around $6,400, while decorative wrought-iron fencing is estimated at about $8,000, according to Anderson.
City Manager Robert Eads said the immediate priority after taking ownership would be addressing safety concerns before any interior work is considered.
“If the intent was to go any further, we would have to find that money if we wanted to step inside and start making those improvements,” Eads said. “We don’t have an assessment yet as to what that would cost or look like.”
Council members questioned whether the city should commit to additional staffing and longterm maintenance before completing its annual budget process.
“This could be an item we take up in the next couple of weeks when we start talking about budget,” Eads said. “A steady hand and a clear mind as to where these expenses are coming from is smart business.”
Ultimately, Councilman Liston Crim encouraged the city to move forward with accepting the donation, citing the site’s historical importance.
“I don’t think we can pass it up in terms of its important part of our history,” he said.
According to officials, any future restoration work and associated costs will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.
