The red-orange sun was setting over the frozen marshes of beige and grey as I came around the pink stucco house perched on top of a hill in suburban Fitchburg. I understood why the Swedish immigrant who built the Arts and Crafts style home over 100 years ago had situated the front porch facing in that direction. The view was awe-inducing for a brief moment, but then it hit me: this could all be gone within a matter of months.
A Swedish master carpenter by trade, Albert Anderberg moved to Madison at the turn of the 20th century to help reconstruct the fire-ravaged Madison Capitol building. He picked out the perfect plot of land to build his house upon. The rich soil above the Fitchburg marshes provided a perfect space for a garden and the commute to the Capitol building was brief.
Years passed and the property changed hands, once being used as a pig farm, but its rich history of community assistance continued. For the past few decades, the site has been home to the Drumlin Community Gardens. The small collective is maintained by 40 local families who grow their crops to help support low-income households in the surrounding area. And for the Southdale neighborhood, Drumlin stands as an important symbol of community strength.
In recent months, however, the community icon has been in danger of losing its rich history. The Alexander Company acquired the parcel several years ago and promptly slated the entire area for redevelopment. A parking lot and office building will be constructed on the grounds as part of the company's proposed $120 million Novation Campus industrial complex. After more than 100 years of community service, the historic Anderberg plot has come under attack.
The issue is a complicated one, and the battle lines are clearly drawn. Half the neighborhood has already been demolished due to its location within the small town of Madison, situated between the town of Fitchburg and the city of Madison. Drumlin Gardens, however, lies entirely within Fitchburg boundaries, and this land demarcation has protected it from razing over the last few months. If the gardens are allowed to fall prey to an industrial project, it would be a huge blow to the surrounding area.
There really aren't any places like this, especially on the South Side of Madison,"" Drumlin volunteer Sandy Welander said. ""I think that, especially in this neighborhood, people really benefit from having the chance to grow their own food. There really should be projects like this so that people who live in the cities have a chance to see what agriculture and farming are like.""
Six tenants were served eviction notices ordering them to vacate the old Anderberg residence by Jan. 31, but the Drumlin advocates aren't budging. Although demolition was slated for Feb. 2, the town of Fitchburg has secured a stay of demolition for four to six months. The Fitchburg Historical Society is also looking into purchasing the property under the law of eminent domain. A court battle is set to begin between community members and the Alexander Company.
The town of Fitchburg required the Alexander Company to consider community input and several neighborhood meetings were set up. Some Drumlin supporters are apprehensive about the meeting's true motivations.
""The plan that is currently being carried out does not contain any of the suggestions made by community members, such as a community center, a library, a cafeteria, a day-care center, and the preservation of the garden,"" local volunteer Armando Campa said. ""They may be included in the development plan in writing, but in reality nothing is being carried out. This project may bring a lot of development dollars here, but for the community it brings nothing.""
If the Drumlin Community Gardens are not preserved it will be a sad day in the history of the Madison area. Madison is a city that prides itself on progressive community action and the Drumlin Gardens must be preserved. Its demolition will just be one more dagger in the side of a neighborhood that has already suffered tremendous injury. If you would like to help support the effort to preserve the gardens, please contact drumlincommunityfarm@yahoo.com or visit drumlingarden.org for more information.
Tom Hart is a senior majoring in history. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
