Agreement would help build new Medicine Shoppe pharmacy

The Du Quoin City Council meets in regular session tonight at 6. One of two ordinance items on the agenda is the presentation of a Tax increment Financing (TIF) agreement that would facilitate the construction of a new Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy at the corner of South Washington Street and East Franklin Street in Du Quoin.

Years ago, the location was the site of the Du Quoin Beauty College. The property has been owned by the Du Quoin State Bank. At this writing, it is not known whether the owners of the chain of Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies in Southern Illinois have purchased adjacent properties. It is known that the owners have been concerned about the lack of parking and the awkwardness of an alley-side prescription drive-up service for some time.

Work is already being done to prepare the Beauty College building for demolition.

Plans for the new pharmacy and the construction timeline have not been announced. Mayor Rex Duncan commented Sunday that the move will leave a vacancy in a signature building in downtown Du Quoin unless owners have plans for the property not yet talked about.

Tonight's agenda includes the following: The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Ms. Joyce Beckham's Third Grade Class from Du Quoin Elementary School. The council will approve Ordinance 2015-O04-01 amending Chapter 7 of the City Business Code Article 6, pertaining to raffles.

This will be the last full meeting of the current city council before the new council is seated on May 11.