Batavia City Council, Residents Wrestle Over What To Do With Century-Old Dam
(CBS) -- A century-old dam in west suburban Batavia is either a major attraction or a major nuisance, depending on your source, and its future remains in doubt.
WBBM's John Cody reports the Batavia City Council voted 11 to 2 to demolish the dam, but the park district voted to keep it, and so did citizens in a referendum.
Mayor Jeff Schielke says it's an environmental and safety hazard as the east end has collapsed, and that it needs to go, not be rebuilt.
"The last number I saw 10 years ago was a cost of $8.2 million to replace the dam and it basically serves no function," Schielke said.
Dam supporters see it as a scenic asset and a town trademark. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it will not fund dam reconstruction.
Mayor Schielke says a citizens' committee will review the situation and recommend what should be happen with the north dam over the Fox River in Batavia.