Urbana aldermen defend settlement in house demolition case
By Mike Monson
Saturday November 22, 2008
John Dixon
Developer Howard Wakeland gained the right to demolish this house at 809 W. Main St., U, in a settlement with the city.
URBANA – One of Urbana's leading preservationists is sharply critical of the city council's decision this week to settle a lawsuit by allowing developer Howard Wakeland to tear down a century-old house in a city historic district.
But two aldermen said the city had a weak case – and that city officials will use the experience to strengthen the city's historic preservation ordinance.
Earlier this week, the city council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign a settlement with Wakeland that will let him tear down a house at 809 W. Main St., which is part of a city historic district covering most of the 800 block of West Main.
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