Batavia City Council, Residents Wrestle Over What To Do With Century-Old Dam

(CBS) -- A century-old dam in west suburban Batavia is either a major attraction or a major nuisance, depending on your source, and its future remains in doubt.

WBBM's John Cody reports the Batavia City Council voted 11 to 2 to demolish the dam, but the park district voted to keep it, and so did citizens in a referendum.

Mayor Jeff Schielke says it's an environmental and safety hazard as the east end has collapsed, and that it needs to go, not be rebuilt.

"The last number I saw 10 years ago was a cost of $8.2 million to replace the dam and it basically serves no function," Schielke said.

Dam supporters see it as a scenic asset and a town trademark. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it will not fund dam reconstruction.

Mayor Schielke says a citizens' committee will review the situation and recommend what should be happen with the north dam over the Fox River in Batavia.

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• Fox River
• Batavia
• John Cody