Du Quoin will require advance notice of repairs to aging downtown buildings

A draft ordinance being considered by the Du Quoin City Council would require downtown business owners to advise the city of any structural or facade repairs it plans to make to a building.

The ordinance is designed to distinguish between real structural repairs and simply covering up problems.

The first draft of the ordinance reads: 29-1-9 WORKMANSHIP--Repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations which are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code shall be executed and installed in a workmanlike manner and installed in accordance to manufacturer's instructions. In order that such work may be performed in accordance with applicable codes, the owner of the property shall first confer with the code officials as to the method by which he anticipates rectifying such deficiencies as the code official may have cited. Blueprints or engineers drawings shall not be necessary unless in the judgment of the code official such plans and specifications are essential to insure that the repairs are being completed according to applicable codes. However, in all circumstances, the code official shall be advised of the anticipated date that the work is to be performed, so that the code official or his designated expert may personally observe the work in progress, so as to be assured of its proper installation.