By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members gave a less-than-enthusiastic approval Monday night to a contractor who wants more time to demolish the former Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors Children’s School.

The property’s owner, Nicholas Africano, was supposed to have the building on Beech Street taken down by today. The town council has agreed to give him until Oct. 15.

Councilwoman Kathleen Lorenz who initially opposed the demolition said granting the delay is the only feasible option.

“In principle, I don’t like this, but in practicality, I can vote for it,” Lorenz said. “But that’s a pretty thin vote.”

Town officials said trying to hold Africano in breach of contract would likely lead to a costly court battle.

Councilman R.C. McBride was one of several council members upset by the lack of progress.

“The way this has unfolded, I find very disappointing,” McBride said.

Councilman Jeff Fritzen said granting the five-and-a-half month delay is better than taking the contractor to court for holding up demolition on the site he called an eyesore.

“We may be just lucky that something worse didn’t happen there other than broken windows and trespassing,” Fritzen said. “It was time to do something about it. To support this extension is really a default vote of ‘yes,’ not an enthusiastic vote of ‘yes.’ ”

Normal agreed last fall to pay Africano $500,000 to demolish the school, hand it over to the town and then develop the nearby infirmary building.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].