Building Maintenance Supervisor Chris Mains caulks around an old window Wednesday at the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. The building, built in 1929, is in need of repairs an updates. The building has gained tenants over the last two years , but has just two years to modernize its manually operated elevators. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Laurie Larsen walks across East Chicago Street from the Elgin Tower building where she has an office on the fourth floor. The building has gained tenants over the last two years. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Elevator operator Larry Loebman runs the manual elevator Wednesday at the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

The old clock on the Elgin Tower Building has not worked for some time. The 80 plus year building is need of repairs. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Laurie Larsen walks across East Chicago Street from the Elgin Tower building where she has an office on the fourth floor. The building has gained tenants over the last two years. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Elevator operator Larry Loebman runs the manual elevator Wednesday at the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

The old clock on the Elgin Tower Building has not worked for some time. The 80 plus year building is need of repairs. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

The Elgin Tower Building water extinguisher system needs updating with more water pressure. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Chunks of the exterior have broken away from the Elgin Tower Building and in need of repair. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Looking from the lower roof of the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Looking South from the roof of the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Building Maintenance Supervisor Chris Mains caulks around an old window Wednesday at the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. The building, built in 1929, is in need of repairs an updates. The building has gained tenants over the last two years , but has just two years to modernize its manually operated elevators. November 7, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Looking from the lower roof of the Elgin Tower Building in downtown Elgin. Sun-Times Media file photo