We made the Trib and some other papers:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-endangeredplaces-,0,195654.story
The Life included contact info to buy the buidling in their updated story:
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/riverside/news/x303485895/Arcade-Building-makes-endangered-list
The Unity Template has a restoration foundation:
http://www.utrf.org/
I don't see how our abandoned and in-receivership Arcade building is less endangered than the Unity Temple, with their resources and foundation and active use.
Make no mistake. listings and letters are great to have, but if a buyer wanted that spot we don't have a way to stop a tear down. Delay, yes. Demonstrate opposition to that happening, certainly. But no way to conclusively stop it from happening. We may be lucky that the economy is so bad and we have so many failed/failing projects all around, as that may deter an acquisition for another "mini VC-like" project. I think we have to look at a semi-public/private partnership to create a viable Arcade. And we are probably years from that.
Well Chris, I'm going to guess they consider a Wright more important than a Withers. Plus, they have raised only 3mil and they need 20-25mil.
No one is going to do a tear-down and rebuild in this economy. There will be a way, I feel sure.
I wish the arts community would come up with a way to cover the terrible looking window scenes we have now with some graphics, maybe a "Nighthawks" and some other scenes that would make it look better - and provide some better weather protection. This thing will be like this for awhile, with all the paperwork, lawsuits, liens, etc. to sort through. Having a series of scenes that made it look occupied - in an artistic manner could probably get some press and perhaps attract a developer.
I don't think anyone can--or should--touch the building without the bank's permission. I'd hate to see some well-meaning artist cause more damage.
If you would like to change the subject from Arcade at Risk to the art fair, please start a new topic.
The Life had an ad for a Wright housewalk in Oak Park, $95 and it sold out.
http://www.gowright.org/wrightplus/wrightplus.html
I wonder if we could have fundraising events for the Arcade? A ball in Town Hall? They used to have cotillions there. It's a shame how little used that space is. If the Arcade is not sold by fall, it is going to have to be heated again. Likely the new noteholder will heat it, but, it was a trial getting the receiver to do it.
We do not even know if the receiver has let it go to market yet.
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