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📸 Credit: Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley (April 2026)
Geneva's fine over the plastic-wrapped historic blacksmith shop downtown has climbed past half a million dollars, and there’s still no end in sight in the ongoing conflict with the developer over the 1840s building.
A hearing officer said this week he doesn't have enough paperwork to rule and pushed the case to October.
Here's what to know:
Fine keeps growing: The city has charged developer Shodeen Development $750 a day since October 2024, when a hearing officer first ruled the building out of compliance with property maintenance rules. As of Aug. 20, the total hit $504,750, according to Shaw Local.
Wrap itself is the issue: The city cited the developer again in May over the white plastic shrink-wrap now covering the structure, arguing the wrap still doesn't satisfy the original 2024 order.
Ongoing concerns: The City Attorney said the wrap has no ventilation, which could trap moisture and lead to mold or further damage to the building. He also said the developer has yet to submit a plan for redeveloping the whole site.
According to the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, the judge said the city would need to provide a new building code violation charge demonstrating that the wrap was causing deterioration to the building.
The hearing officer said he couldn't rule without seeing the actual violation paperwork and scheduled another hearing for October 15.
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