Demolition of the vacant Mill Race Inn restaurant in downtown Geneva started Sept. 21 after the City granted a permit to Shodeen Construction Co. Sept. 19.

Crews will be removing the superstructure and portions of the existing foundation that surround the circa 1846 limestone paper manufactory building. The building at 4 E. State St. was renovated in 1933 for the establishment of the iconic Mill Race Inn restaurant. The business closed in 2011.

Shodeen anticipates the demolition will last three weeks, weather permitting. The City’s permit requires the project to be completed in 30 days.

After the demolition is finished, the site will be graded, seeded and fenced for safety as the redevelopment process continues. The developer will evaluate the 1846 limestone sections to see if the structure can be considered a historic landmark and/or if it could be incorporated into any future development of the property.

The future use of Mill Race Inn property has not been determined. To date, Shodeen has not submitted a development application to the City. Once an application has been reviewed by City staff, residents will have an opportunity to give input during a public hearing held by the Geneva Plan Commission.