Marlowe Feed Building to Come Down

Crews will start dismantling the Marlowe Feed building as soon as the village grants a demolition permit, permanently dashing any hopes the building could be preserved as a historical landmark.

Huntley officials sent the owner a letter a few months ago about the deteriorating condition of the old feed building, which dates back to the 1890s. Village Manager Dave Johnson said the property was falling into disrepair.

The owner contracted Renewable Resources LLC, based in Kansas, to dismantle and salvage the materials used in the feed store, including wood floors, windows, the copper plumbing and the metal roof.  A grain bin and the foundation will also be removed.

Johnson said a home on the site and a metal storage shed will remain.

Elmer West, of Renewable Resourc. The lot will be ready for redevelopment, he said. Earlier this week, he said the company will salvage 95 percent of the materials in the building.

The Marlowe Feed building is a landmark in Huntley and many resident have been telling West stories about growing up in town and going to the feed store.

Johnson said the village's Historical Preservation Commissioner Tom Conley met with West and village officials this week. While Conley would like to see the building saved, he understood the cost is prohibitive, Johnson said. The village has no legal recourse to preserve the building.

"I am very sad this building is coming down," Trustee Pam Fender said. "I understand it's in bad shape but it is a historical building for this town."

She hopes Renewable Resources and the owner can keep some of the wood, or other parts of the building, in town.