For those who have asked: Here is the Evening Retlaw Wrap up meeting recap: Attendance: Bonnie Strelow, Susanne Ditter, Glen and Robin Krueger, Cindy Ernst, Bekki Fischelson Kuber, Sarah Everson and Chris Clementi Few in attendance, again. However, it was nice to see Bekki and Sarah stop in to see what our plans were for the future. Would we be saving history? Would we be saving the arts? We brainstormed together as brightly as we could, despite the reality that we had just been completely abandoned and ignored by all the Arts groups in our town for the past 9 months. Pretty sweet of us....for the record. : ) Some left after an hour. The rest of us talked until 9pm. : ) We covered: 1. Why wasnt the Nationally protected building SAFE???? How could it be demolished so quickly and easily? a. Citys answer: It was a private sale--Nothing is protected when its a private sale. City did not tell the HPC or the media that it COULD save the Retlaw. The city did not tell the HPC at the May meeting that it is their job to be the check and balance system for the city and any developer. The city did not remind the HPC that the reason their commission is in place IS to protect and defend the Historic Retlaw Auditorium. The City never admitted whether they planned to continue with the Arts and Entertainment District. Still a mystery why they wouldnt discuss that, one way or another. b. Wisconsin State Historical Society (Madison) answer: FdLs designation as a Local Certified Governement title proves they care about preservation and helps us get big grants. To be an LCG FdL has to have a active and motivated Historical Preservation Commission in place working to save and protect and defend its Historic Buildings and to educate its citizens as to the importance of Historic Preservation. Legally, the Wisconsin State Historical Society can only block the demolition of a Historic Building if state or federal funding is part of the project --such as the WEDC grant Commonwealth received in this case. However, the a loop hole emerged. The Wisconsin State Historical Society was able to be skipped over because the WEDC/president Scott Walker...reported that an independent committee disburses WEDC awards. This independent disbursement company does not have to route grant projects through the Wisconsin State Historical Society...as the State Statutes say they must do legally. The Historical Society would have blocked this grant, because they knew there was another group that wanted a shot at restoring the property as an Educational Arts Center (thats us.) Again, note that viability of the offer makes no difference. The offer that does NOT demolish the Historic Theater should win at state and federal levels. Interesting to note: Commonwealths Offer to purchase was written up contingent on their: (a.) getting the permit to demolish the Retlaw Auditorium(s) AND (b) also on their getting the WEDC $400,000 grant, as well as the additional $200,000 from local sources. The reason they took the Historic Retlaw Theater easily and quickly? Because it was free. c. Friends of the Retlaw answer: Our Historic Preservation Commission has been intimidated and lead by our City Government AND they have been under-trained and under-confident in their duties and responsibilities. Our HPC clearly did not understand their own ordinances. There were two separate HPC agenda items and two separate votes at the May HPC meeting. Even a partial demolition is governed by Ordinances for Demolition and these DUTIES were NOT described to the HPC. The Bravo years were rarely brought up in the media and were no brought up to the HPC at the May meeting, leaving Commission members to feel the building had been empty since 1998. Our HPC did not defend the Retlaw and should have given all offers on the table that would not have taken down the theater auditorium a delay of six months to one year to pursue their due diligence. Our HPC was pressured by Sam Meyer, Dyann Benson, Deb Hoffmann, and Lisa Pauly. All pushed the HPC to be worried about CW walking from the project. They were told they had to remember that Commonwealth was the only offer on the table. This was wrong and it was unethical. Ive been yelled at for calling these people out by name. But, until they defend their moves I will call them out again and forever. What they did was wrong.. WE must all demand that they stop this and never do it again. 2. We discussed the fact that Bekki and Sarah reiterated AGAIN how people had tried for months and months to sell the property to no avail. This is how others have also defended the citys move to push the theater through the HPC without any delay. a. The citys answer: They agree. They have not and will not restate their own HPC ordinances that they have just resigned on as accurate and satisfactory for 2014. Worth noting: the city did not explain to the HPC or media that the HPC had final say or any say at all... on a delay for demolition. The Duties for the HPC says the HPC BEGINS at the point demo papers are filed. THIS IS WHEN the HPC excercises their own mind and looks to find an owner for the building that would not demolish. This could have put pressure on Commonwealth to utilize the theater in its plans and would NOT have blocked their chance to buy the building....just would have stopped them from destroying the theater auditorium...which as we all know by now was not moldy as they described. Mold was confined to under the stage, a portion of the back hall...and the back cinderblock theater. b and c. Friends of the Retlaw and the Wisconsin State Historical Societys answer: Yes, we pointed over and over -- HPC Ordinance for Demolition says AFTER DEMO PAPERS ARE FILED it is AT THAT TIME the LOCAL HPCs DUTY is to delay demo SO THAT THEY can check to see if other offers would not demolish...LIKE ANNs OFFER. Other offers would also have been welcome at this time. Out of town developers could also have put in offers at this time. Interesting to note: We excitedly asked Bekki and Sarah if they had read the HPC Ordinances for Demolition. Certainly they NOW could understand why we were fighting for their arts???? Certainly, they could better understand our plight and our path? But, they denied understanding. They said they did not need to read ordinances-- as other people had the job of understanding the laws...and it was not their job. Others have responded this way, So unfortunate that its just the only choice they have at this point. Easier to claim ignorance than it is to explain away injustice. Further proof that we did suffer injustice because both of these ladies are awesome and educated and we know they would have pointed out OUR error IF in fact we were claiming injustice and there was no injustice. 3. We briefly discussed Walter Schroeder and others who are STILL quick to call us negative and yet immediately call us spineless at the same time. This is clearly a frustration on their part that shows us all how badly they wanted us to save the theater. is it just me, or is this getting more and more clear? Their questions and accusations have no substance. They are attacking character without facts. They and hurting us while we are down and its really quite mean. The only discussion one should have with them is simply to ask WALTER if he read the HPC Demo Ordinances. Does he or can he defend what the city did when they told the HPC that they HAD to vote for Commonwealth as it was the only offer on the table. 4. Before Bekki and Sarah left they suggested beginning an Arts promotion facebook group....as a go to site that would promote all the arts in our town. This was a great suggestion...for those who want to build up Arts Awareness and promote arts events. After three days their site has over 600 members. This is an amazing group of artists and I know many of them. As for WHY this group of Artists and arts lovers from schools and businesses and homes all around our county---did NOT see any reason to help defend and support our hope for an Educational Arts Center in the Arts and Entertainment District, downtown? That remains a sore spot in my heart and will for many years to come. I guess they were sold a bill of goods --told not to vote for us or side with us. We were negative. We were wrong. And, maybe they will say they are sorry...one random day. Kind of sad and hard. Well do our best to get to the happy place they all expect us to pop up to...right this minute. 5. Sarah mentioned that Commonwealth is going to be moving part of their Corporate offices to the lower floors of the Retlaw building. She excitedly told us that there is more demand for retail on the street level Commonwealth originally anticipated. Our heads were spinning...downstairs? What about the mold? Will CW stay in our beloved Theater for more than a couple of years? Our heads swirled with the news. Maybe the reason we werent thrilled was because we already believed the Main Street level deserved to be retail. WE certainly were pushing for Main Street Retail. Maybe we put pressure on them. Maybe the city wants more jobs added with the project? Maybe just random PR? But, sure well join the exciting NEW POSITIVE website of 600 plus people that are rallying to save the arts in our town. So cool. : / Thanks again....and again and again...to all who were saving the Historic Arts in our town...and our Retlaw. P.S. No one has submitted any old theater pictures for a photo book except Norm. IF anyone has any...please let us know, sooner rather than later. Love to all. And thanks.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:58:32 +0000
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