Re:BUILDING
A Preservation Newsletter
Volume 22 - October, 2004
Published by Martin Hackl, Oak Park, Illinois
Is the River Forest Women's Club building still under threat?
Following many months of criticism and accusations of being alarmist and raising unnecessary concern, some of the earlier statements by this writer are being shown to have been accurate.
As a result of the listing of the River Forest Women's Club building on the "Chicagoland Watch List" of the 10 most endangered properties by the Landmarks reservation Council of Illinois, and a letter I sent to the local papers, some of the local press has become involved inquiring and doing some stories on the issue.
From their interviews with some of the active parties, including members of the River Forest Park District and Park District director, Tom Grundin, certain statements and attitudes of the Park District have now been made public.
Here are some recent quotes made to the local papers:
From the Wednesday Journal (September 14, 2004):
Speaking at a River Forest Park Board meeting last week, board vice president Stephen Dudek said that, while he was nervous about taking on "an albatross that's a money pit" he might be open to an arrangement, perhaps in the form of a referendum, that provides adequate funding"..."What most worried him, Dudek said, was assuming responsibility for a building in need of constant maintenance that would chronically burden the the district's operational budget."
"Grindin shares board members concerns regarding potential costs, saying "If we take over the building, and we run into major capital improvements, we don't have the money to fix it."
From the Chicago Tribune (September 20, 2004):
"The village board of trustees is considering a referendum to raise tax dollars to do the work, but another option on the table is to sell the property for a subdivision, Grundin said."
From the Oak Leaves (September 22, 2004):
Contacted for comment...Women's Club Director, Marilyn Organ said, "I don't know anything about anything."...
Here is some video of a walk through I made of the building in February, 2003.
Here are some links to previous Re:Building Newsletters on the subject:
http://www.re-building.com/nl15/nl15rfwc.htm
http://www.re-building.com/nl16/nl16rfwc.htm
Subscriptions to this Newsletter are free. Subscribers are notified of the latest issues by e-mail. If you wish to be added to the Subscriber mailing, or wish to have your name removed from the list, please e-mail your request to:
| MHackl@re-building.com |
| Copyright © 2004 Martin Hackl |