The Webb City Council voted Monday to offer the Clubhouse, at 115 N. Madison St., back to the Webb City Historical Society.

Jim Dawson (4th Ward) made the motion to give the historic building, originally a clubhouse for streetcar workers, back to the historical society at the same price the city paid for it – $0.

The historical society has to decide whether to take back the building within 30 days.

If it doesn’t, the city will put the building up for sale, while attempting to restrict the deed so that the building won’t be demolished.

Dawson said he had objected to accepting the gift in the first place because “we had no use or vision for the building.”

Eileen Nichols, president of the historical society, said, “I’m hopeful we can find a solution fairly soon.” At least two nonprofit organizations, other than the society, have expressed interest in the building.

Nichols and two other society board of directors checked the condition of the building Tuesday and determined it is generally in good shape.

Speaking as a visitor at the beginning of the meeting, Nichols recalled urging the society board to give the building to the city, with the understanding that the city would use it and not sell it.

Her fear now, she said is that the building will be demolished if sold without a deed restriction.