For our new members and those Reporter Newspaper Readers who are wondering what our group is all about -- a short synopsis is in order, once again. This is review for the rest of you. Apologies. In November of 2013 our efforts to save the Historic Retlaw Theater auditorium began when we learned an offer to purchase the Historic Theater property included plans to raze the historic Retlaw auditorium. Friends worked with the Madison State Historical Society and other online historic preservation groups to learn the process to save a Historic building, given the confines of a private sale between two private parties. We carefully followed the path set out by WI State Statues and FdL Municipal Code Ordinances. The private parties added confusion, as they were applying for public grants, in partnership with the city. The would be owner was filing demolition papers...also not normal...or legal. We attended the appropriate Historic Preservation Commission meeting in May of 2014 (when demo papers were filed by CW) with Ann Kelly (successful local business owner) who presented her viable offer that would have made the Retlaw a NonProfit arts center, with arts services, arts related businesses and two restaurants. A local developer signed on to assist. It was entirely viable. The HPC dismissed the offer without reading it. All HPC voters (including two first time voters) were railroaded to vote NO delay for demolition, which paved the way for CW. 3 City Board members overtly backed CWs development before the vote, an ethically poor choice on their part, given state code. Friends of the Retlaw began a social media campaign to get the facts out. For over 4 months we invited cooperation with CW and later begged for collaboration --until August when we gave up being nice. CW had filed 3 extensions--sitting on the property until the city of FdL handed over the $600,000 in state and city grants. The City of FdL had purposely delayed giving Friends an Open Records Request that would have allowed a lawyer to demand at least a 3 month delay before demolition of the Retlaw Auditorium which would have given the Kellys offer its due diligence time period to present the details to the community. It was clear CW and the City of FdL were working together when the incomplete open records request papers were handed to us a day after CW signed on the offer to purchase. Our National, State and Locally designated Retlaw Theater deserved attention, protection, and accurate media coverage given that FdL has an accredited Historic Preservation Commission. Having this local HPC allows FdL...the distinction and designation of Local Certified Government which allows us to participate in state and national grant applications as long as our government follows Municipal Ordinances and assists in educating the public to the benefits of Historic Preservation. We have yet to hear from any City Personnel...the truth...about why the HPC told us they can only protect the exteriors of buildings. The HPC also protects Historic buildings from unnecessarily rushed demolitions proposed by the city or local developers. See Municipal Code, Historic Preservation Commission. Ordinance for Demolition. If you wish to learn more about our integrity and our intentions, please read more under files above. Thank you for your time.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 18:54:04 +0000
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