PRESERVATION FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN
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The mission of the MAC Preservation Foundation is to preserve, rejuvenate and memorialize the history and historical architecture of the building occupied by the Missouri Athletic Club at 405 Washington.
The Missouri Athletic Club’s Preservation Foundation was formed in 2007 with a goal of raising $5,000,000 to renovate the infrastructure of our downtown historic clubhouse in addition to making it a safer building for our members to enjoy. Many are aware of the history of the building, which was rebuilt in 1915 after a tragic fire destroyed the original clubhouse on March 8, 1914. The “new” building opened on March 1, 1916 with later additions in 1927 and 1950. The certified historic designation is certainly deserved for the building designed by famed architect William B. Ittner. Our building at 405 Washington Avenue is a cornerstone building and business in downtown St. Louis. The MAC is believed to be the oldest organization operating continuously in the same location in downtown St. Louis. This is a tremendous accomplishment, but with this comes a great deal of responsibility and challenges. The building is feeling its age of nearly 100 years even if it does not show it. The fine staff at
the Club performs near miracles to keep the building operating seamlessly for members and guests. The beauty of the Club is on display for all that enter through its doors. The resources needed to maintain the building including its operation, elegance and safety requires a significant amount of money. The Preservation Foundation has provided nearly $500,000 in grants to the Club for projects qualifying for its preservation under the federal guidelines for historic renovations. Members and guests do not always see these projects, but they are certainly felt by them. The completed projects include: roof replacement, lining of roof drains, installation of chiller with control panel, repairs to north wall and light well, emergency exits, and lighting and repairs to the Fourth Street fire escape. A variety of other smaller projects have kept services uninterrupted and protected the building from deterioration. The above projects were accomplished due to the initial fundraising efforts of the Preservation Foundation led by Don Gunn, Gerry Ortbals and Kim Tucci. The “Brick” campaign and other donations through 2014 raised approximately $750,000. The Foundation also receives the net proceeds from the annual golf tournament chaired by Scott Engelbrecht. The golf tournament rose
in excess of $300,000 through 2014. The Foundation is working with the Board of Governors and the management of the Club to address current needs to preserve the downtown building. The current needs include repair or replacement of plumbing stacks supporting the overnight guest rooms, phase two and three of the fire egress life safety plan, additional emergency lighting, fire safety separation walls, emergency exits and other longer term projects. The needs of a 100-year-old building are voluminous, and the newly reconstituted Preservation Foundation Board is investigating a variety of methods to raise the funds to preserve our landmark building. We hope to provide additional information beginning with The Foundations Gala on Feb. 13, 2015. If you would like to learn more about the Foundation or contribute, please feel free to contact any of the members of the Foundation Board, which includes John Bugh, Rick Lodewyck, Bob Frederic, Bob Guller, Scott Highmark, Steve Smith and Jim Woodcock. Respectfully submitted,
Steve Krause, Preservation Foundation Chairman
Redbird MAC Members
Mark Belew, President Dack Ledbetter, VP–Operations Brian Hayes, D.O.T./Safety Director
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