City updates council on Garden Motel abatement and planned demolition

City staff told the South Beloit City Council on Dec. 2 that additional hazardous-material abatement at the Garden Motel is underway and that the city expects demolition to proceed once abatement and debris removal are complete.

The city reported the council approved an additional abatement expense the prior meeting and that crews are on site performing the extra abatement work. City staff said $160,000 in additional abatement costs were expected and that Green Demo personnel remained on site to separate debris so demolition could proceed safely. Staff stated the structure cannot be razed until abatement and debris separation are finished; if abatement completes promptly staff expected demolition to move quickly and said they were still hoping to have the building knocked down by the end of the year.

Staff also provided routine city notices during the administrative report, including a reminder of the annual tree-lighting event scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m., with the ceremonial lighting at 5 p.m.