Post by fernwood on Jan 2, 2020 10:04:05 GMT -5
Am very excited to be a newspaper correspondent, once again.
This time it is a great challenge. A 100+ year old historic theater house in Stevens Point, WI is being demolished.
The building only required about $100,000.00 of roof repairs and interior restoration. The long time owners of the building stood firm that the city would not gut the building and use it for retail space.
The local arts organization had purchased the building and received about $150,000.00 of pledges for restoration costs. Then backed out.
The building is now being demolished. By a company that pledged they would salvage everything possible. Based on photos I have seen, they are not upholding this pledge.
I have contacted the local State Representative, County Administrator, Fire Department (who did inspections on the building), City Mayor, requesting their comments on the building. Will be contacting the arts group for their comments after they open today. Local Historical Society, when they open next week. Trying to get contact info for the owners of the building. Once the arts group backed out of purchase, ownership went back to the family. They were determined that the building be restored and used for a not for profit.
The theater was built in the 1800's. Lot of history there.
I was never allowed access to the building, after many requests.
Photos showed that roof damage caused water to enter the building. This caused some interior and wall damage.
The theater contained many historical items.
I have a background in historical preservation/salvage of architectural items and documents/photos.
Since I am physically limited right now, all I can do is via phone calls and emails.
My goal is to establish a local not for profit. One dedicated to preservation of buildings, their contents. Also for historical photos and records.
I have done this before. One organization I helped establish in the 1990's is now a major organization in WI.
Have the current contacts to make this happen.
Wish me well.
If anyone is interested , I can post some photos of the building being demolished. Both exterior and interior. Plus some of the items that are now garbage behind the building.
I learned so much from so many. Just wanting to share my knowledge with others.
This time it is a great challenge. A 100+ year old historic theater house in Stevens Point, WI is being demolished.
The building only required about $100,000.00 of roof repairs and interior restoration. The long time owners of the building stood firm that the city would not gut the building and use it for retail space.
The local arts organization had purchased the building and received about $150,000.00 of pledges for restoration costs. Then backed out.
The building is now being demolished. By a company that pledged they would salvage everything possible. Based on photos I have seen, they are not upholding this pledge.
I have contacted the local State Representative, County Administrator, Fire Department (who did inspections on the building), City Mayor, requesting their comments on the building. Will be contacting the arts group for their comments after they open today. Local Historical Society, when they open next week. Trying to get contact info for the owners of the building. Once the arts group backed out of purchase, ownership went back to the family. They were determined that the building be restored and used for a not for profit.
The theater was built in the 1800's. Lot of history there.
I was never allowed access to the building, after many requests.
Photos showed that roof damage caused water to enter the building. This caused some interior and wall damage.
The theater contained many historical items.
I have a background in historical preservation/salvage of architectural items and documents/photos.
Since I am physically limited right now, all I can do is via phone calls and emails.
My goal is to establish a local not for profit. One dedicated to preservation of buildings, their contents. Also for historical photos and records.
I have done this before. One organization I helped establish in the 1990's is now a major organization in WI.
Have the current contacts to make this happen.
Wish me well.
If anyone is interested , I can post some photos of the building being demolished. Both exterior and interior. Plus some of the items that are now garbage behind the building.
I learned so much from so many. Just wanting to share my knowledge with others.