Aldermen are not done talking about the two decaying buildings Horace Mann wants to tear down. The city council last week okayed $600,000 in tax increment finance dollars for the project but now is having second thoughts.

That’s partly because last week’s presentation by the Springfield-based insurer rested on an outdated map, which showed the area is not in an historic district.

Lawyer Tony Schuering, representing Horace Mann, says this boils down to two choices:

“The total project cost is about $4 million. We are asking for $600,000. It’s about 15 percent of the project. It’s a great deal.

“Option Two is that the buildings continue to sit.”

Ald. Kristin DiCenso could not conceal her frustration. “It’s very troubling to me that this was not vetted more properly by the city, by the Historic Sites Commissoin – that’s their job – and by Horace Mann.”

Ald. Erin Conley said she’d move to reconsider last week’s vote next week and perhaps reverse the TIF decision.

The buildings are in the 600 block of East Washington Street.