Building renewed in Rantoul, Lane

Tearing down homes that are too far gone for repair and rebuilding on those lots are some goals for the coming years, Mayor Don Covington said.

Covington said recent progress in Rantoul includes construction on a restaurant, though he didn’t know when it would be finished, and plans for a duplex that would be built nearby.

He said Rantoul has areas that could develop and he sees the town possibly expanding to the west. He said he’d like to see more homes built, as well as demolishing dilapidated structures and further cleaning up the city.

South of Rantoul, the town of Lane had its share of cleaning up to do in 2007 following heavy flooding that damaged several homes.

More than a dozen homes were evacuated in the Lane area, and the community banded together to help its citizens.

The National Ruritan Foundation donated $2,000 in immediate relief from the foundation’s “Operation We Care” assistance program. Later, the Ruritans received a check for $28,500 that was divided evenly between seven families in Lane, one in Iola and one in Humboldt, Karl Kelsey, a member of the Pottawatomie Ruritans and the Ruritan National board of directors, said previously.

In September, the city of Lane looked to the future by closing its Main Street in September for a celebration of community and town spirit.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.