The historic bank building was scheduled for demolition, when Mayor Joan Severns (a future PACA board member) and a group of concerned citizens (the nucleus of PACA), and the Champaign County Historical Museum stepped forward to save the structure.  The City of Champaign purchased the National Register building in 1976 and offered it for redevelopment after public funding did not materialize.  Although the fledgling PACA board submitted an ambitious redevelopment proposal, two local developers with better funding were awarded the project in 1982.  However, the developers (Leon Jeske and Edward Hass) relied heavily on PACA for historic research on the building’s original exterior design, for specific historic restoration advice, and for administrative help with an Illinois Department of Conservation preservation grant.  Members Gregory Hargus and Bruce Hannon were invaluable on this project.  The restored building opened in 1983.  FIrst used as office space, it is currently (2008) the home of the Champaign County Historical Museum.