At 3026 E. Riverside Drive in Fort Myers there is a historical building. This was a train station of the defunct Seaboard Air Line Railroad. It served as a station between 1927 and 1952. Unfortunately, the building is in the process of been demolished.

I visited this site a few years ago. At that time, the building was deteriorating and fenced off.

Years after the train depot was abandoned, the Reilly Brothers Hardware Store occupied the building. They were in this location until 2007. They closed because of declining revenues and dropping business.

Unfortunately, this is another example of an historic building being demolished. The building sat vacant for years. There were no attempts to renovate this structure. Current owner mentions that this site could be a self storage facility.

Westin Marina

This theater was originally the Avalon Theater and later the New Regal Theater. It is located at 1641 East 79th Street in Chicago. It opened on August 29, 1927. The architect was John Eberson. The style of the theater was atmospheric and Moorish Revival.

From 1927 to 1934, it served as a live performing venue. From 1935 to 1967, the theater served as a motion picture house. It closed from 1967 to 1970. Beginning in 1970, it operated as the Miracle Temple Church and a meeting place for 14 years. The building was purchased in 1985 by Edward and Bettiann Gardner. They were founders of the Soft Sheen Products Company.

The theater underwent an extensive two year renovation. It reopened as a performing arts venue with a new name the New Regal Theater.

In the 1980’s, the theater underwent another renovation. It was granted Chicago Landmark status on June 17, 1992. The Gardner’s closed the theater after 18 years of operation due to poor attendance and high operating costs.

The theater was purchased by Regina Evans in 2008. She secured funding for renovations; however this never happened.

Illinois & Michigan Oil, LLC has recently announced its plan to build a barge terminal on the south bank of the Illinois River east of Seneca, Illinois. The project would include a 600 foot wall, 20 mooring pins and needed dredging.

Before the project can begin, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will undertake an extensive review of the project. Needless to say, multiple local residents are opposed to the project

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