DECATUR -Two properties inn the 200 block of North Water Street, including the Barnes Citizens Building parking structure that has sat unused for more than a year, were one step closer Monday to having their tax liens put up for tax sale, according to court documents provided by the county treasurer.

Macon County Treasurer Steve Grimm filed the motion Monday with the Macon County Circuit Court, citing the structures' unpaid property taxes of roughly $56,000 dating back to June of this year. The tax sale will be at 9 a.m. Friday in the board room of the Macon County Office Building, 141 S. Main Street.

Besides the parking garage, the other building subject to the tax sale is the Barnes Citizens building that houses numerous businesses, including National City Bank, Neuhoff Media, which operates several radio stations including WSOY, and an office of U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island.

Grimm said the businesses' operations will not be affected.

Grimm said as of Monday, about two dozen buyers had expressed interest, and the sale could run all day Friday.

"We have quite a number of registered tax buyers," Grimm said. "They come from all over. It will be interesting to see who bids on the Barnes building tax liens."

The Decatur City Council voted in September to compel the structures' owner, Charles Barnes, to repair the property or else see it demolished. Barnes pleaded with the council to hold off on the order, citing difficulties securing funding to rehabilitate the garage, which council members have called an "eyesore."

Grimm said any prospective buyers would not be purchasing the actual buildings, but the liens on them. Buyers then would take steps to acquire the deeds to the properties, a process which could take years.

klowe@herald-review.com|421-7985