The Demolition of Scott Street
Today apparently marks the end of Scott Street Pub, for real. No hope. The talking is over. The walls will fall. I guess I have no idea what happens next. All this talk of the city growing and prospering, and what direction we are going on, made me look at the way our city treats people.
I wrote this for the Wausaublog years ago it seems, and I thought I would put it up here in pieces…”The Pub had live music on his stage for 30 years. 52 weeks a year. Four nights or three nights a week. But let’s go with 3. Let’s do the math. 3 Nights X 52 Weeks X 30 Years= 4,680 nights of music. Let’s say each night of music cost 300 dollars…$300 X 4680 nights= $1,404,000.
So let’s just round that down to $1,000,000. I say to you, who else has put One Million Dollars in the pockets of musicians? How much revenue has been created by Big Bull Falls over the 15-year history? That is in Wausau directly because of Scott Street supporting Blues Music as intensely as it has. Tony Menzer lived in Madison; Otis in Stevens Point. None of those cities had a place like Scott Street, and that was the center of that scene. That is why it is here. “
I guess I question the choices we make. The City of Chicago has gone out of its way to support Buddy Guy’s club LEGENDS, which has only been around since 1989. In a CBS Chicago piece I read…”Guy, who has been at the South Loop location since 1989, has been working with the city to find a new spot for his club.Guy said he wants to stay in the South Loop. “I even looked at the old E2 club [at 2347 S. Michigan Ave.] two weeks ago,” he said. “I’m having a contractor go in there to see if they can turn it into a blues club. There’s two or three buildings near there the city recommended I look at.”He had been checking out the historic George Diamond Steakhouse building, 630 S. Wabash Ave., until it was gutted by fire in October and had to be demolished.”Next week I’m looking in the [original] Maxwell street, which is where the blues started,” said Guy, who turned 70 last year.”
The City of Chicago, a larger city with many more things to do, more crime, more drugs, more development…those cats went to a cultural icon, and made an effort to assist him. After the fact I have had the chance to learn about many of the dealings McDevco had with Tom, and while they seem totally above board…I question the city once again…why did we not make a better effort to ensure that this cultural icon (if Wausau can have icons) done more to be cared for? Sure Tom was hardly agreeable, but I question the effort. How much effort was put into ensuring the Wausau Club would find new owners, and continue in a new form? Did I not read about the city guiding the Alexander Foundation in the purchase, taking on the role of middle man? Is that not what happened?
It is a sad day. That mural is going to die. Artist Marcus Nickel spent over a year of his life, had a heart attack in the middle of it and managed to come back, and that mural will die. JUST DIE. I thought some pictures were taken, and if you want to tell me where I can buy them, feel free…but the city never saw the mural. I know this is unfocused, and rageful, but the fact is…the walls will fall down on something that we all took for granted. I say that the city should name a street after the owner. Just for the dollars he spent here. And for the secrets the Pub kept.
Tom Neal said:
Dino worked the door there, procured talent, listened to acts, met people, grew musically, got involved … this article of his only touches the surface of what he and many others feel. Culture, when it’s demonstrably transitory, can hurt. Now that this page is turned, we will never know everything that happened or what could have happened; we can just look at the eventual hole in the ground, like an open grave where potentials and memories will be buried. And, as though from a funeral, we walk away, helplessly wondering “what if” about the past, but also maybe wondering “what if” about the future.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am #
Dino Corvino said:
Your right Tom, a large part of my life comes directly out of that room. I have often said, that aside from my bedroom that room is where I felt most at home.
I find it sickening that we live in a world, not just a city so people won’t get all pissy with me, that views this sort of cultural world as less than signficant.
I also find it sickening that as old folks, become monied older folks, that the amount of looking down on young peoples culture that happens.
Basically, I am just sick about the whole thing.
The idea that the Wausau Club is a beloved icon, and the Pub was something that needed to be pushed aside…well that says SO MUCH TO ME.
Also this idea that Dwellers has been given a fair shake…well that is a murky glass of development water.
Marcus told me today that it is always those with the gold that make the rules, and sure it might be. But it is because people accept that idea, and even aspire to have the gold…it is that idea that keeps me on the street corner shouting at the wind.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am #
Dino Corvino said:
You all never saw the mural. Aside from the Weston Dog Park, the mural was the most impressive thing in this area.
And today it becomes garbage.
Today I am personally without any real hope, or faith that any of this works. Is this the right path? Who chose this path for me? What is actually at work here?
Good luck. I am going to go watch The West Wing on iTunes, and maybe this shall pass.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am #
danniggbie said:
And to add insult to injury, I saw on the news that they plan to knock down Scott Street first, then fall the other buildings on top of it, thus burying the memory even more.
I did like the place, but in a way I’m happy to see it go, finally. I’m not a drinker, so not many bars draw me inside their walls, but as a music venue, Scott Street was the king, and that will leave a hole in the music scene in this town.
But the rest of the stuff that came with it, that is the stuff we don’t want to talk about here and that is the stuff that makes me happy to see the bar die. Will good comes bad, and plenty bad came with Scott Street.
It is the end of an era, but think of all the great parking that will open up. Too bad it’ll only be for the Dudley building employees.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:11 pm #
Boogenstein said:
It’s a sad day for Wausau. One less live venue and yet another parking ramp. One can’t help but wonder which will be the next local landmark to be bulldozed in the quest to turn a city of character in to just another concrete jungle?
January 8th, 2008 at 5:44 pm #
danniggbie said:
All this goes on while the federal building sits vacant.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:18 pm #
robertmentzer said:
Ah, Scott Street Pub, I never knew ye. Sorry Dino, it is too bad the place got torn down.
January 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm #
graydiane2 said:
What is Wausau going to do with the block that Scott Street Pub was on? Was it condemned? And yes, it is the “ones with the gold that makes the rules.” That’s how taxes got started..remember Robin Hood?
Diane
January 8th, 2008 at 9:06 pm #
Marcus Nelson said:
Photos of the Mural that Dino is speaking of:
picture 1
picture 2
picture 3
picture 4
picture 5
picture 6
picture 7
January 8th, 2008 at 10:09 pm #
Kevin Rector said:
It’s really a shame for a piece of art like that to be demolished. I’m surprised it couldn’t be saved.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:35 am #
Dino Corvino said:
The mural was painted directly on the wall. Some local people were willing to pay some tradesmen to do the work, but upon inspection the people who know how to do these things, said it was not really feasable.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am #
Tom Neal said:
Apparently, it was painted on the wall itself instead of a removable substrate. No one stepped up to invest in what would be a pretty involved salvage and restoration project. How cool if the Yawkey Museum or PAF could have spearheaded that. But … how about this: Some area artist(s) take the series of jpgs Marcus supplied, string them together as a reference and make it a community project to recreate the piece full scale? Can we step up and contribute cash to that effort? Is there a group, organization, business who will help? This can be done again. We don’t have to accept the finality of that destruction.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:55 am #
Tom Neal said:
I pledge $100 to that effort if the community decides to pursue it.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:56 am #
Dino Corvino said:
The plaster which the mural is on, was put directly on the brick wall that adjoined the two buildings.
Lisa Stahl has a stitched together piece from an archetectural photo that can show it all at once.
I just ordered a large scale print from the guy as well.
How about someone contact the Millers at The Fillmore, and ask them if they would like to pay homage to something from the past in the thing that they are doing for the future?
I pledge as much money as I have to the effort.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am #
Tom Neal said:
In Helena, Arkansas (home of one of the best-ever annual blues fests, that I’ve attended often), they have a mural on their Mississippi River levee wall adjacent to the site of the festival (travel.nostalgiaville.com/Arkansas/helena/helena60600.htm).
There’s another, similar mural on a retaining wall in town, that includes Elvis and others.
They truly value and preserve their heritage down there.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am #
Dino Corvino said:
Heck Tom, speaking of blues…Wausau lost the Blues Cafe to Stoney Creek in in Kronenwetter. From what I hear it was a dispute over fees with the park department, and kapow something that was built as a Wausau event, is now gone.
You know they formed the Great Northern Blues Society in Scott Street Pub, as well as the idea for the first big bull falls blues fest…which has brought this community millions and resulted in the creation of Wausau Area Events years ago.
Seems to me like a ton of stuff, a lot of events, are scooting out of town. No idea why really.
So, Wausau, used to be the First City of Wisconsin blues…now loses its iconic venue, and its one day blues event. Hmmm.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am #
Tom Neal said:
The blues has a way of coming back.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am #
lisastahl said:
I put the full version on the mural on my blog www.endotoxin.wordpress.com - click on the image.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm #
Dave Keeffe said:
As a good friend of the artist I called him when the photos were originally published in the Buyer’s Guide.
He had no clue and was never consulted.
Being the man he is Mr. Nichols had no complaint and frankly, did not seem to care much.
I like some of the ideas being talked about here. And even though Mr. Nichols is a bit of a shoulder shrugger when it comes to self aggrandizement, I think it is time for some one to stay connected to him regarding his art.
I have the contact information and anyone who chooses to do so can inquire of me.
I like the idea of a “Pub Wall” at the Fillmore.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:46 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Dave,
Marcus knew. I believe that Bill Coady, Lisa Stahl, and myself all told him.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm #
Dave Keeffe said:
Thanks Dino …
I have only good thoughts about this.
Marcus really doesn’t care. To his credit. He has taught me a few things over the years about practicing detachment to fruits of labor.
I hope someone is keeping him posted.
I will probably call him one of these days.
How about the ‘homage to the forefather’s’ “Pub Wall” at the Fillmore?
January 9th, 2008 at 7:38 pm #
tommichlig said:
As I was out and about today I decided to cruise past to check on the demolition. I went by at around 3 p.m. and the entire middle structure (the Pub building) was rubble, but that meant the mural was clearly exposed to west-bound traffic. I’m glad I saw it “in-person”, even if it was about to come down. I didn’t expect to feel anything, but I was a little moved by it. My memories of the place are from the late ’90’s to 2002-ish, so I don’t have a strong connection with it anymore, but it still made me drive around the block twice.
Someone was shooting some video of the whole mess from across the street (bigger than a Handycam, but still smallish and hand-held (maybe it was super 8 film, which would be a nice time capsule).
January 9th, 2008 at 10:52 pm #
Community Announcements • Scott Street Pub Tear Down said:
[…] Pictures below shoe the demolition of a Blues Icon in Central Wisconsin, The Scott Street Steak & Pub, known affectionately by locals as, “The Pub.” See recent Article for more history. […]
January 10th, 2008 at 9:46 am #
Kevin Rector said:
Here’s a video of the demolition. The mural is clearly visible in the images.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=VIDEO0901
January 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pm #
winelady said:
Though I am part of a younger generation, I was still able to take in the experince and appreciation of music at the Pub! I too, passed down Scott Street the last two days. It seemed strange but yet inspiring, that as though everything was being torn down, the mural still stood tall! I managed to catch a few photos on my phone as I drove past!
A wausau legend that will surely be missed!!
January 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm #
Jim Carlson said:
Whether by plan or fate, thanks to the way the demolition has proceeded thousands of people have now seen the Pub’s mural.
To me that is fitting. Only a handful of us got to see it in its original setting, but now it is open to the world to view.
In the midst of the rubble, the mural remains the last standing reminder of Scott Street Steak and Pub.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am #
Barry Liss said:
Ecclesiastes, my friends - wherever we turn we see ruins. It reminds us that there were others who came before us and many more will come after…our time here is precarious…there is no creation without destruction. Ever walk around Rome? Only beauty remains and this too is evanescent.
Barry
January 13th, 2008 at 9:09 am #
Citizen Wausau » Blog Archive » Remuralizing & Demoralizing said:
[…] wanted to attempt to resurrect or take the pulse of the idea bandied about a short while back re: recreating the Scott Street Pub’s upstairs wall mural. The gist of the idea was that, since a detailed photographic record exists of the entire mural, […]
January 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am #