WHITTINGTON – State moves closer to selection of contractor to oversee upgrades to Rend Lake Resort and Conference Center and related Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area amenities that have fallen into disuse and remain empty for years.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources pledged to undertake the restoration of the complex about a year ago after several multi-year attempts to find a private operator failed, in large part because the facilities are down. bad condition.
Last year, the state attempted to attract a qualified dealer by offering up to $ 1.5 million in financial incentives to help cover renovation costs. It also offered bidders several options, including the takeover and renovation of all or only some of the facilities. The property consists of a hotel and conference / event center, cabins, boats, swimming pool, restaurant, gift shop and dock with distribution station. fuel.
IDNR Provides Up To $ 1.5 Million In Public Funds To Find New Operator For Rend Lake Resort
“We had a lot of questions from potential suppliers, but we didn’t receive any offers,” said Rachel Torbert, spokesperson for IDNR. “That, coupled with the state’s desire to move this project forward, is what prompted us to consider turning this into a state-led renovation project in conjunction with the Capital Development Board. “
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In July, the Illinois Capital Development Board, which oversees the state’s major construction projects, issued an application for consulting architects / engineers interested in redeveloping the property to its former glory.
Interviews originally scheduled for September 30 were delayed until last Monday, but the process is moving forward, Torbert said.
Once the state completes the renovations to the property, IDNR will again seek to find a qualified dealer to take over day-to-day operations.
The resort, once considered a crown jewel in southern Illinois, attracting people from Chicago, the Metro East and across the region, has been without an operator since 2016.
Makes Lake Resort ‘boatel’ demolished as IDNR re-solicits bids for supplier to run resort
In December, IDNR announced that it had terminated the concessionaire’s lease and closed the facility. In its statement at the time, the state agency said mold, peeling paint and other health issues had been identified in the complex and conference center. In addition, the concessionaire, which operated the complex since it opened in 1990, was behind on rent and property taxes by about $ 219,000, and also owed arrears on utilities and taxes. hotelier.
Several problems led to the decline of the property. The former concessionaire paid for the construction of the hotel and conference center, but the parties were unable to come to an agreement on the property. Sources of funding for repairs have also dried up. Lawmakers across the region successfully allocated $ 5 million for capital improvements in 2013, but the money never materialized. For years, Illinois had no capital budget. That changed in 2019 with the passage of the Illinois Rebuild plan.
The IDNR has not planned a timeline for the project, except to say that it is moving forward.
Photos: Garden of the Gods in winter
Icicles hang from the rock faces of the Garden of the Gods on Wednesday in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows through the trees and on the snow at the Garden of the Gods Wednesday in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
On Wednesday, a pool of partially frozen water reflects the trees in the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
Melting snow forms icicles on rock formations along the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail Wednesday in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
On Wednesday, the remnants of winter’s first snow are lit by the late afternoon sun at the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
A small icicle clings to the side of a rock formation at the Garden of the Gods Wednesday in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
An icicle is seen through a hole in a rock formation at the Garden of the Gods Wednesday in the Shawnee National Forest.
Byron Hetzler
Snow covers the steps from the parking lot to the Garden of the Gods observation trail.
A tree is covered in snow along the Garden of the Gods observation trail.
Ice covers the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail in the Shawnee National Forest.
The view of the Shawnee National Forest from the Garden of the Gods.
The view of the Shawnee National Forest from the Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.
