Belle aldermen plan to determine the demolition specifications on the former MFA building during a special meeting at 2:20 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the Board Chambers building next to the police station.

Aldermen voted on Aug. 11 to demolish the former MFA building that they were hoping to repurpose into a Rock Island Railroad trailhead.

Mayor Steve Vogt asked the board during the beginning of the discussion if they wanted to survey the community to see what they wanted to do with the historic building.

“Do they want us to make repairs or see it torn down,” Vogt asked.

Alderman Tony Geick asked what the city would do with the building if they paid to have it restored. Alderman Jeanette Struemph said she didn’t feel like enough of the building was left to restore.

“The cost of time and materials outweighs tearing it down,” she said. “ It is past repairing. I’d gut it, take it down to the ground and start over.”

Alderman Sundi Jo Graham asked how much of the old stuff Struemph thought they could use to rebuild it.

“Rebuild it? I wouldn’t use any of it,” Struemph said.

Vogt said the building was supposed to house a shop for the Rock Island Trail that is expected to come through. Gieck said that is if the trail comes through and Vogt said it still could.

“I make a motion to tear it down. Get the bids to tear it down,” Alderman Courtney Abel said. “If it was a brick building maybe, but that thing is beyond repair.”

The board voted 3-1 (Graham against).