St. Nicholas Hotel project is approaching $1 million: City will pay $10,000 in TIF money up front; $200,000 over 20 years

The Du Quoin city council Monday approved a Tax Increment Financing Agreement that will rebate developers of a micro-brewery in the St. Nicholas Hotel $10,000 a year for the next 20 years in what is quickly amounting to a $1 million project, said city development director Jeff Ashauer.

Admittedly, its a project that began as a simple historic preservation project that has taken on a life of its own, evolving into a micro-brewery that will also become a tourism destination.

The project involves two companies, St. Nicholas Development, Inc. and the St. Nicholas Brewing Co. in the former St. Nicholas Hotel on Oak Street.

President Theodore Wichmann announced that the group has begun the next phase of development of the property. Wichmann, from Cobden, Illinois, is one of the original owners of Alto Vineyards and the previous owner of Owl Creek Vineyard in Cobden, Illinois. In addition to Wichmann, board members are Karen Hand, winemaker at Blue Sky Vineyard; Gary Sullivan, who will supervise the final phase of construction and installation of brewery equipment; Du Quoin resident Patricia Gross and Abby Ancell. The group will open a restaurant on the premises at the time of the brewery opening.

The unique structure of the historic hotel has presented challenges for contractors involved in the renovation process. But the unique structure and the historical significance of the building will be of great interest to both residents of Du Quoin and visitors to the area.

In other action, the council:

• Approved Resolution 2014-R02-02, agreeing to the roles and responsibilities of the City of Du Quoin in the Perry County Emergency Operations Plan.

• Approved roadblock from Du Quoin Baseball Inc. for June 7 from 6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Approved appointment of Ted Harsha to fill vacancy on the Du Quoin Fire Pension Board.