Questions remain about flea market, proposed homeless shelter in EM

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By Dustin Lemmon | Thursday, July 10, 2008 11:59 PM CDT | () comments

Eileen Alexander would like to hold a flea market at East Moline’s old Hoffman School Aug. 2 and 3 to help fund a proposed shelter there for homeless veterans, but city leaders say a few obstacles remain before that can happen.

Alexander thinks the building can house more than 100 veterans.

She said money raised from the flea market will help pay for utilities and insurance at the building, which she wants to rename “The Eagles Nest.”

Hoffman School at 560 19th St. has been closed since 1987.

But Mayor John Thodos said there are questions about the building’s stability that must be resolved.

“If it is to be used as a facility to handle housing, there is a matter of zoning,” he said, adding he hasn’t been in the building in many years.

Alexander acknowledges the school needs repairs but is hoping volunteers will step forward to help clean and fix any damages. The building also would need an elevator to make it handicap accessible for veterans who would be living on the second floor. That’s where Alexander wants beds, room-dividers and a recreational area.

Alexander hopes 15,000 to 20,000 people will attend the two-day flea market, which will feature booths inside and outside the building.

Money for the shelter will be raised through a $2 gate fee. She wants to have flea markets there regularly in the future. Thodos wasn’t sure logistically how traffic would be handled for that many people.

The building’s owner, John Eagles, could not be reached for comment.

Alexander said she represents a group called Silver Wings who hope to eventually buy the property. Rock Island County’s assessed value of the building and property is $37,258. Alexander couldn’t say how many people are involved in the project.

“All these years, I’ve wanted to help the homeless veterans,” Alexander said, adding she has set up flea markets in other cities in the past.

Thodos said parking issues must be resolved and the city needs to see an agreement between Alexander and the building’s owner.

“Hundreds of questions have to be answered before this can happen,” Thodos said. “If it sounds like she can make it work, we’ll be as cooperative as we can.”

Those wanting to contact Alexander to volunteer or set up a booth can call (309) 751-9548 or (309) 948-9448.

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com.