DeKalb moves forward with aiding development of event space at site of former church

After an initial proposal went up in smoke, DeKalb city leaders are moving on from considering a proposal for a private club and cigar lounge at the site of a former church and are all in on aiding the development of an event space. The petitioners, Marty and Elisa Boughner, have entered into a contract to purchase the property at 220 N. Third St. and plan to renovate the venue for small private events. City Manager Bill Nicklas said the Boughners have been meeting with city staff to figure out what needs to be done to get the building up and running again.The venue has to meet certain required building codes before it opens, he said. “We’ve been in conversation about what that might cost,” Nicklas said. “It’s probably upwards to $40,000 for the fire prevention part and about $20,000 for the new area, take out the front facade of the entryway, put the new glazing in, and also the side door. So, that together came to approximately $60,000.”Located in the downtown area, the building qual