FREEPORT (WIFR) -- Freeport residents are debating whether the old city hall building should stay or go. The fate of the 113-year-old structure is taking another turn. Some local leaders are taking the next step to preserving the building.

Good thing the architects were called in--a steel beam supporting the south side of Freeport City Hall is no longer stable and even has a large hold from water damage. So aldermen agreed to pay for repairs—a choice supporters of saving city hall, like Brenda Myers say was a smart one

Myers said, “We were just like, again, elated that they made the right decision, they went to correct the mistake and they're willing to work with us."

Architects say the proposed repairs would provide them the necessary time to evaluate the building and keep the south portion of the building safe at a cost of 9-thousand dollars. despite city council approving the funds to move forward with the plan, one alderman disagrees with the decision.

Freeport Alderman-at-large Andrew Crutchfield said, "I believe a decision needs to be made on the building before we keep putting money into the building when we don't what we're going to do with the building."

Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp says the issue of what to do with the old city hall could be handled by local government with no questions asked, but knows the feedback from citizens is vital in their decision.

Gaulrapp said, "Fourty, fifty years ago, we saw the courthouse go down. It was taken down, demolished and a new one was built. There's still concerns, still heated arguments over that, so I want to make sure our citizens have the input."

The north side of the building is still occupied by the Freeport Township, but they won't stay there for long. They have plans to move out of the more than a century old structure by April.

Gaulrapp tells us any repairs beyond what aldermen decided would go to a referendum in November at the earliest. Freeport has spent approximately 45 thousand dollars in repairs to the structure.