By Brian E. Clark
WisBusiness.com
Negotiations between city’s Landmarks Commission and UW-Madison officials
over the fate of a former Rennebohm drug store have been put off until
next year.
The 80-year-old building, at the corner Randall and University avenues, is
at the west end of the site for the proposed $375 million Institute for
Discovery.
Architectural drawings show the institute would consist of a cluster of
modernistic research buildings that would cover two pie-piece-shaped blocks.
“The university has told us their plans for the block where the Rennebohm
is located are changing,” said Kitty Rankin, the city’s liaison to the
Landmarks Commission.
She said she was told it had something to do with National Insitutes of
Health’s recent selection of UW-Madison as home to its new National Stem
Cell Bank.
Alan Fish, associate chancellor of planning, facilities and management
for the university, confirmed that discussions with the city have been
delayed for several more months.
“We are still putting together the program for what the institute needs
to have and we are reviewing all our options,” he said.
And while the stem cell bank may be part of the building, he said that is not
what is delaying the talks.
While Fish said the university is willing to negotiate with the Landmarks
Commission, he said “our first choice is to tear the Rennebohm Building
down.
“We have not closed off any options, and we are looking for common
ground, but keeping the building there would be costly for us.”
