Lifetime will end for local landmark
By Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer
STEVENS POINT – The long and intricate history of a local landmark ends as area leaders named a demolition contractor for the Fox Theater. Urban Evolutions Inc. (UEI), based in Appleton, was selected to begin demolition of the building as soon as Dec. 6.
City officials voted 6-2 in favor of working with UEI on the demolition of the back two-thirds of the property on Dec. 2. District 11 Alder Shaun Marrow and District 1 Alder Tori Jennings voted against moving forward on the project with UEI.
The building’s demise stems from a usage agreement held by the Sanders family, restricting the property’s development to civil spaces, like theaters or performance arts centers.
Ada Sanders, a governing member on the agreement, is sad to see the building’s legacy come to an end. She said that she is upset with how city leaders handled the Fox Theater over the last four decades.
“They made a decision, a theater can’t work, so they’re tearing it down,” Sanders said in an interview with the Gazette.
City leaders noted UEI would be working with Recyclean Inc. to preserve as much of the raw materials from the building as possible to be repurposed in future projects.
Mayor Mike Wiza said that UEI would start demolishing the back two-thirds of the Fox Theater, in hopes of still preserving the front one-third and facade. Wiza added that the front one-third would also come down unless the Sanders family lifts usage restrictions on the property.
“Once the back is down, the metaphorical wrecking ball will be at the front one-third,” Wiza said.
Moving forward
The agreement held by the Sanders family is five years into a 20-year duration. Ada Sanders told the Gazette that the family has no intention of lifting the contract early. This means that for roughly 15 years, no development can begin on that property unless it is an approved usage project authorized by the agreement.
“This would restrict most developments unless they are civic or artistic,” Wiza said. “The agreement could still change, but it doesn’t look like it will.”
Don Sanders said that they want to keep the restrictions in place to preserve their great-grandfather’s vision of the Fox Theater and avoid any “tacky” projects from setting roots in the historic location.
“Here’s the thing, we would rather see it go down than have it turn into some cheap and tottery thing,” Sanders said.
The Sanders family blames a lack of communication with city leaders for the downfall of the building. Though the front one-third of the structure could still be saved, chances are slim, according to city officials.
Follow the Portage County Gazette for photos of the demolition process.
Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.