Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, 116 N. Fairchild St., must vacate its current site within three months, according to condemnation papers recently filed by the Community Development Authority.
At the same time, Miller's Eats and Treats, 120 N. Fairchild St., reached an agreement with the Madison Cultural Arts Support Trust, leaving Dotty's as the last business needed to clear the way for the planned Overture Center, which will encompass the entire block.
According to Ald. Steve Holtzman, District 19, a member of the CDA, the agency filed the condemnation papers against Dotty's after issuing a $583,680 check to owner Jeff Stanley to acquire his property.
Dotty's manager Matt Marks said Stanley is not ready to accept the CDA's offer on the grounds that it is not substantial compensation to cover full relocation costs.
According to Marks, the CDA offer, despite being almost two times the amount of the property's 2000 assessment of $293,000, does not come close to Dotty's potential relocation costs, which he said could be near $1 million.
\They can't force us to go into a place and go into debt,"" Marks said of the CDA's offer. ""As far as we're concerned, we're going to stay here and petition the court system and fight it until we get a fair deal.""
Marks added that the CDA has recommended potential sites for relocation of the business, but none of them have met Stanley's criterion to own the property rather than rent.
One potential site--a building currently under construction on West Gorham and North Henry streets--could cost upwards of $1.5 million to purchase and move into, Marks said.
The other main qualification for potential relocation properties is location, Marks added.
""Anything in the downtown area, as far as we're concerned, would suit us,"" he said.
CDA member Stuart Levitan said he is not concerned about the Dotty's situation hampering Overture's development.
""The city policy is to develop the Overture project,"" Levitan said. ""An individual landowner will not derail that project.""
The Dotty's condemnation comes on the heels of a relocation order put on the properties by the CDA in April 2000. Through the relocation order, the CDA appraised the properties, giving the owners purchase offers. Because Stanley did not accept his offer, the condemnation will proceed.
""We went the long route at [Stanley's] request,"" Holtzman said.
The Dotty's papers were filed Dec. 28, giving the business until April before facing possible eviction.
Meanwhile, John Miller, owner of Miller's Eats and Treats, said he plans to remain in business until at least mid-February, before moving from the site.
He added that his business would not relocate because of financial and practical reasons.
""There really was nothing economically feasible for us in the downtown area,"" Miller said. ""Our customer base is within a two-block area.""
Miller said several of the store's eight to 10 employees will retain positions with his wholesale ice business, which he plans to move to the near south side. The deli at the Fairchild Street store will close in mid-February, he said, leaving other grocery items and store fixtures for sale.
