Demolition starts on Western Illinois University housing facility

The demolition of Western Illinois University's East Village in Macomb, Illinois, which closed in July 2015, started Tuesday, Dec. 20, and continue through February, weather permitting. Hood Demolition and Excavation of Rushville, Illinois, is completing the work.

East Village, which was constructed in 1966, served as housing for graduate students and students with families on Western's Macomb campus. According to Director of Residential Facilities Joseph Roselieb, a 2008 facilities assessment showed $4 million of deferred maintenance to the building. The study also found that it would take an additional $1.6 million to replace pipes, windows and other immediate work.

"The cost to renovate the building was cost-prohibitive not only for the university, but for our students as well. It would have meant a 25 percent rent increase for our students," Roselieb explained.

Graduate and family housing is available in University Village, which is located directly north of East Village, and Westbrook House, located two blocks from campus on Riverview Drive.