By Roger Utnehmer
Efforts to preserve Sturgeon Bay’s Teweles and Brandeis granary were dealt a serious setback by the city’s common council Tuesday.
By a vote of four to three a resolution that would have approved the granary being moved back to its original location on the west-side waterfront at no cost to the city was defeated.
The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society has received financial commitments of more than $1.25 million to preserve the granary. It was moved to the east-side waterfront after a raze order was issued by Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief Tim Dietman. That location, considered temporary, may not be available for long according to SBHS President Christie Weber.
Council member David Ward questioned the stability of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society. Ward said a check of the Department of Financial Institutions records revealed that the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society is listed as delinquent.
Weber said the delinquent status was caused by the late filing of paperwork.
Council members Kelly Catarozoli, Kelly Avenson and David Hayes voted in favor of returning the granary to the west-side waterfront. Barbara Allmann, Seth Wiederanders, Laurel Hauser and David Ward voted no.
The exchange between Ward and Weber can be heard here