There Are Several Viable Options For Kopp's Site

By Jane Riley, Tess Mulrooney, Howard Mandeville

The Capital Times

January 18, 2001

Jane Riley is the president of the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association; Tess Mulrooney chairs the Vilas Neighborhood Long Range Planning Committee; and Howard Mandeville is president of the Regent Neighborhood Association.

It isn't often that over 350 people come out on a snowy December evening to give their neighborhood grocer a standing ovation. But that's just what happened when our three near west side neighborhood associations met at West High School to discuss the sale of Ken Kopp's store to Walgreens.

We saluted Ken for his years of personalized, hands-on, day-to- day service to our families and to our community. And we salute him for carrying on a long tradition of small grocery stores in the neighborhood. Many of us remember shopping at Ken's when it was Fauerbach's. Before Fauerbach's it was Kroger's. Some of us were customers then, as well.

People in our neighborhood, and plenty of other communities around the country, appreciate having a grocery store they can walk to, but it's more than a matter of meat and potatoes. It's a quality of life issue to us. Ken Kopp's serves as a focal point for our area. It's an anchor for other local businesses - including two existing pharmacies within half a mile of each other on Monroe Street. And it's a place where neighbors can exchange greetings and news. There's even a bulletin board for announcements.

Ken has a right to retire and to get the best price for his business. That's why our three neighborhood associations are exploring alternative plans in case Ken's agreement with Walgreens doesn't go through. Although Ken and Walgreens have an agreement, there are contingencies, and Walgreens' plan - as yet undefined - will have to satisfy city concerns regarding zoning and traffic, especially if Walgreens includes a drive-up window as part of its plan. We hope our efforts at encouraging some other options will be helpful to Ken and spark financial interest in his property, in the event the sale to Walgreens doesn't materialize.

At last month's meeting several people came forward with alternatives to a Walgreens. Cameron Ramsay of the former Madison Sourdough Co. proposed an entrepreneurial artisan food emporium with different kinds of grocery and deli items. Steven McKenzie, owner of the full-service Jenifer Street Market, expressed interest in placing a similar store offering groceries, meat, produce, and baked goods at the Ken Kopp's site. The Regent Market Co-op said it would consider extending its operations to Monroe Street. And there was a suggestion to move the local branch of the public library to Ken's location, adding a community room for neighborhood meetings and celebrations, plus housing on two or three upper floors.

Since the meeting, city planners and representatives of our three neighborhood associations have discussed these and other ideas. We have had conversations with Trader Joe's, a specialized grocery with stores opening across the country. We've also listened to proposals for condominium or extended-stay developments. We understand that UW might offer its support for a project that includes housing for retired alumni and visiting professors who want to be close to the university's academic, cultural and athletic facilities. Neighborhood leaders say there is a real interest in having a hardware store return to Monroe Street. And many who rely on the laundromat now nestled next to Ken Kopp's grocery store hope it remains in some form. Readers can survey the growing list of ideas at the Dudgeon- Monroe Web site at www.dmna.org.

These aren't just fanciful notions or the nostalgic dreams of a few disgruntled residents. These are sincere alternatives from many quarters - developers, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, community leaders and neighborhood residents. We are encouraged by a community that has clearly indicated it wants the best and most neighborhood-friendly use of the Kopp's site. And we are inspired by those who are joining forces to achieve it. We have $100,000 pledged toward finding a solution (plus another $100,000 for library redevelopment). Many residents are giving valuable time and professional expertise. Decisions do not need to be made - whether by individuals, national chains or governments - in a vacuum, without citizen input. We love our neighborhood and are working to keep it a vital and exciting place to live, work and visit.

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Last Modified: 22-Apr-08 12:30 PM

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