Sample Letter to Landmarks Illinois

[Ed. Note: Below is a letter you can use as a template to voice your support for nominating the Riverside Arcade Building to Landmarks Illinois' "10 Most Endangered Historic Places" List. You may modify it as desired. Letters are due by December 17, 2008.]

________, 2008


Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga
Preservation Commission
Village of Riverside
27 Riverside Road
Riverside, IL 60546

Re: Nomination of Withers’ Arcade to the Landmarks Illinois’ “Ten Most Endangered Historic Places” List

Dear Ms. Marsh-Ozga:

Please forward this letter on my behalf to Landmarks Illinois.

Riverside’s landmark Arcade building, designed in 1871 by Frederick C. Withers (partner of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux) is in need of immediate help. This architecturally significant building was part of the original concept for Riverside, America’s first planned suburb, and predates the construction of even Riverside’s Township Hall. Furthermore, it is one of the earliest commercial arcades in the nation.

Since mid-August, 2008, the Arcade building has sat largely vacant and exposed to the elements, left abruptly in mid-renovation by a court order freezing the assets of its owners. Efforts of the Village of Riverside to convince the court-appointed receiver to release funds necessary to secure and heat the building were ignored.

After weeks of winter weather and the formal nomination of the Arcade building to Landmarks Illinois "Ten Most Endangered Historic Places" list, the Arcade was finally boarded-up, but the receiver has taken steps to shut off the heat and water, leaving this landmark without a working fire supression system.

I fully support the nomination of the Arcade building to Landmarks Illinois’ “10 Most Endangered Historic Places” listing. It is my sincere hope that this important landmark will not fall victim to arson, and that a reputable purchaser experienced in historic rehabilitation can be quickly identified.

It is a travesty to see the Arcade building boarded over and in such derelict condition, in the heart of a National Historic Landmark District.

Sincerely,


_______________
(Name)
_______________
(Address)