A new CityBeat article about the King Building; it seems that the story is
really heating up.

http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-33562-the_once_and_future_king.html

forwarded by

David N. Lewis
Hamilton, OH

On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 2:19 PM, Clark Johnsen <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> ​Great articles, thanks. And good work on the architectural preservation
> front!
>
> clark
>
> On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 2:01 PM, Eric Jacobs <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > Some photos and stories of the building for context:
> >
> > http://rubbercityreview.com/2009/12/king-records-cincinnati/
> >
> >
> http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/bootsy-collins-foundation-mayor-john-cranl
> > ey-fighting-to-save-king-records-building-in-cincinnati
> >
> > http://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/13kingrecords.aspx
> >
> > http://local.cincinnati.com/share/story/207962
> >
> > And a list of King Records artists:
> >
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Records_(United_States)
> >
> >
> >
> > Also, some good tips on how to document a building prior to demolition:
> >
> >
> http://blog.preservationleadershipforum.org/2013/06/27/documentation/#.VfBx
> > y2RViko
> >
> >
> > I¹ve participated on some pre-demo building documentation projects for
> the
> > National Trust, doing detailed blueprints of the existing structure, and
> > helping with the photography.  If there are significant architectural
> > elements, consider salvaging and storing them.  Even if the building is
> > ultimately saved, the documentation becomes an important part of the
> > historical record.
> >
> > ~ Eric
> >
> > _________________________
> >
> > Eric Jacobs
> > Principal
> > The Audio Archive, Inc.
> > 1325 Howard Ave, #906
> > Burlingame, CA 94010
> >
> > tel: 408-221-2128
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Disc and Tape Audio Transfer Services and Preservation Consulting
> >
> > Please consider the environment before printing this email.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 9/9/15, 7:53 AM, "Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List on
> > behalf of Gordon, Bruce J." <[log in to unmask] on behalf of
> > [log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > >Not sure if this is particularly helpful, but if it has not been done
> > >already, a photographic record of the building might be a good idea just
> > >in case things don't go well. It's being done for other, more ancient
> > >landmarks in the face of imminent destruction, for instance:
> > >
> > >http://digitalarchaeology.org.uk/projects/
> > >
> > >Best,
> > >
> > >-Bruce
> > >
> > >Bruce J. Gordon
> > >Audio Engineer
> > >Audio Preservation Services - a shared service of the Harvard Library
> > >Harvard University
> > >Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
> > >U.S.A
> > >tel. +1(617) 495-1241
> > >fax +1(617) 496-4636
> > >
> > >On Sep 7, 2015, at 10:31 PM, David Lewis
> > ><[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
> > >
> > >ARSC-Listers,
> > >
> > >I'm not so sure how proper it is to email all of you with this special
> > >interest, but we're running out of time. The developer that owns the
> King
> > >Records building at 1540 Brewster Avenue in Cincinnati has applied for a
> > >permit to demolish it. Below I have provided some of the press releases
> > >that have been issued by the Cincinnati Music Heritage Foundation and
> the
> > >Bootsy Collins Foundation to provide additional details.
> > >
> > >If you want to help, please write an email to the Mayor of Cincinnati
> and
> > >the Cincinnati Council Members listed below. Many of them are on board
> > >with
> > >the idea of saving the King Building, but I think letters received from
> > >people outside of Cincinnati can provide a lot of ammunition to prevent
> > >this landmark from being destroyed. It is a crucial place in the history
> > >of
> > >sound recording, and I'm sure all of you have heard sounds that were
> made
> > >in this building.
> > >
> > >Thanks in advance for helping out,
> > >
> > >David N. Lewis
> > >Hamilton,OH
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask],
> > >[log in to unmask]
> > >
> > >
> > >*#SaveKingOnBrewster #CivilRightsLandmark #SayItLoud*
> > >
> > >Let¹s not ignore the fact that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dedicated
> > >the
> > >King Records Building (currently threatened with demolition) with a
> > >historic landmark in 2008.
> > >
> > >When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart was asked
> why
> > >the King Brewster buildings should be saved, he provided the following
> > >statement:
> > >
> > >*³Between 1943 and 1971 the address of 1540 Brewster Avenue in
> Cincinnati
> > >was home to some of the most vibrant and eclectic music making in
> > >America. There was never a more important piece of real estate musically
> > >or
> > >culturally in the history of popular music.  King brought together a
> > >diverse range of American voices that reflect Cincinnati¹s unique
> > >geographical position as a crossroads of American culture: rhythm and
> > >blues, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, pop and blues records all poured
> > >out
> > >of King¹s studios.  King¹s musical diversity was also reflected in its
> > >business practices ­ it was a fully ethnically and racially integrated
> > >operation.  King was also unique because it was a self-contained record
> > >label.  Every facet of record production happened at 1540
> BrewsterAvenue,
> > >from recording to pressing to packaging to shipping.  The Rock and Roll
> > >Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to recognize the importance of King
> > >Records by dedicating a historical marker and developing educational
> > >materials to tell King¹s story to students in Ohio and around the
> world.²*
> > >
> > >And at the evening¹s Emery Theater celebration as a part of the CEAs
> Rock
> > >Hall President Stewart said:
> > >
> > >           *³It bears repeating and underscoringŠ There¹s not a more
> > >important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over
> > >there on Brewster.  If you folks don¹t remember and preserve it, shame
> on
> > >you.  Remember it!  It is so important to American culture, world
> cultureŠ
> > >what happened in that building.²*
> > >
> > >*PLEASE ACT NOW!* The owner of the King Records Building, where the
> studio
> > >space still stands, has asked for a permit to demolish the building.
> > >
> > >The owner has also lawyered up to fight our application to make the
> > >building safe and protected through a historic designation.  We jointly
> > >filed with The Bootsy Collins Foundation.  At the pre-hearing the
> Evanston
> > >Community Council President and King Studios Chair spoke with us.
> > >
> > >We have tried to talk with the owner.  We have tried since before we got
> > >the historic marker up with The Rock Hall, the City, and the King/ music
> > >community.  With many of you.  We have tried through realtors to get an
> > >asking price.  Something is up and we don't trust it.
> > >
> > >But let's nevermind and get this done.  #SaveKingOnBrewster
> > >
> > >*PUBLIC HEARING  - HISTORIC  -  CONSERVATION - BOARD*
> > >Deciding fate of King Records Building - demolished vs. historic and
> > >protected
> > >
> > >*Monday, 7/27/15, 3pm *
> > >*II Centennial Plaza *
> > >*Central behind City Hall*
> > >
> > >Historic Herzog pre-meeting
> > >811 Race Street, 1:30pm
> > >
> > >This is it. If approved by Historic Conservation Board, then it goes
> > >before
> > >The Planning Commission, and if approved to the Mayor for Council
> agenda.
> > >
> > >If you can't make send your testimony to The Urban Conservator Larry
> > >Harris
> > >[log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]  Go to
> > >Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation Facebook.  We try to get word
> out
> > >as we can.  We are all sweat equity and we run this non-profit as a
> band.
> > >Join us in this tune so it can be epic.  Or we can suck.
> > >
> > >Cover letter to materials we submitted, including books, articles, the
> > >historic designation report and guidelines:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Mr. Larry Harris
> > >Urban Conservator
> > >
> > >Historic Conservation Office
> > >Two Centennial Plaza
> > >805 Central Ave., Suite 700
> > >Cincinnati, OH  45202
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >May 3, 2015
> > >
> > >To Mr. Harris and all concerned:
> > >
> > >Please designate the "1540 Brewster Avenue" King Records
> buildings/parcels
> > >historic according to City Code Chapter 1435-0505 and 1435-0507.
> > >
> > >Please protect these buildings and parcels in accordance with other
> > >relevant municipal, township, state and federal law. Let us know how we
> > >can
> > >help.
> > >
> > >Please make top protection of what we see as the heart of the King
> Record
> > >building structures and parcels - the original King Studios space. The
> > >former studio space needs to be rescued. The King Records building
> > >structures where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and City of Cincinnati
> > >erected a historic marker in 2008 are in awful shape.
> > >
> > >The ones where I S Mechanical Systems operates a warehouse seem fine.
> > >
> > >The crumbling buildings where Cincinnati native Syd Nathan built the
> > >recording studio remain in place.
> > >
> > >The crumbling buildings are where James Brown Productions operated,
> > >simultaneously birthing funk and conceiving hip-hop.
> > >
> > >The crumbling buildings are where numerous historic records were made
> and
> > >released on many labels other than King, and featuring people like
> Lonnie
> > >Mack and Ruth Lyons.
> > >
> > >The crumbling buildings are where James Brown visited in the 1990s with
> > >interest to save, but left in disgust at how bad it looked. They are far
> > >worse now.
> > >
> > >The crumbling buildings are where the Stanley Brothers made history.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >In 2009, a unanimous Cincinnati City Council directed the City
> > >Administration to take necessary steps to protect the buildings of the
> > >1540
> > >Brewster King Records parcels.
> > >
> > >Please take all this into account in designating these Brewster Avenue
> > >buildings historic.
> > >
> > >We propose an effort to protect the King Records legacy and support the
> > >property owners at once. We ask that the parcels housing the building
> > >structure of the studio space be treated as the most sacred and historic
> > >part of all the former King Records buildings on Brewster.
> > >
> > >People want to stand there. Musicians like Chuck D and Bob Dylan would
> > >record there. Read Chronicles, Volume 1 and listen to all the Public
> Enemy
> > >albums and you know.
> > >
> > >Get Danny Adler's 2015 release "Last Session On Brewster" - it proves
> that
> > >recording can still be made in the very spot where genres of American
> > >music
> > >including gospel, doo-wop, rockabilly, jazz made history!!!
> > >
> > >The Last Session on Brewster DVD also proves that these buildings are
> > >crumbling and must be protected before they are lost.
> > >
> > >Saving these buildings from a demolition brought by bulldozer or decay
> > >will
> > >not only combat urban blight but will provide another international
> > >attraction for the Queen City. It could be another Cincinnati
> neighborhood
> > >gateway to our region.
> > >
> > >Shouldn't the King Records studio buildings be the next Save Our Icon
> > >problem to solve?
> > >
> > >When CMHF partnered and facilitated the Rock Hall, City of Cincinnati,
> > >CEAs, Cincinnati State and Evanston neighborhood in 2008 some results
> > >included a King Records historic marker, a Rock Hall King Records class,
> > >and CEAs King Records celebration. There has been an ongoing voice for
> > >King
> > >Records as revitalization tool with the City and Evanston.
> > >
> > >Evanston is amidst wonderful revitalization efforts. The economic
> > >opportunity for international tourism to Cincinnati with an operating
> King
> > >Records location should not be underestimated. Let's accelerate the
> > >momentum by reopening Brewster Ave at Montgomery to the original King
> site
> > >and a monument on the corner. All the great grassroots and partnerships
> > >around King in Evanston over the last several years can pay off.
> > >
> > >Factor in that Third Man Records rolled up to the King site and
> > >instagrammed its pride in King. Third Man Studios announced it uses 1540
> > >Brewster King recording equipment to make new recordings. Let's arrange
> > >Jack White with "I'm Shakin'" drummer and our hero Philip Paul jam
> > >sessions
> > >in the original spot.
> > >
> > >YouTube Kool Moe Dee at the King Records Marker. How about a hip-hop
> > >concert featuring Kool Moe Dee on the street in front of King and I-71?
> > >
> > >The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart declared the King
> > >buildings "the most important real estate in the history of pop
> culture,"
> > >citing not only the music, but the business innovation, as well as a
> > >culture that was way ahead of its time in that persons of different
> races
> > >and religions collaborated on all levels. In the The Emery Theater at
> the
> > >2008 CEAs and King Records 65th celebration, Rock Hall President Stewart
> > >warned Cincinnati to not let the King buildings collapse during a show
> > >which featured a re-united JB's and Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch
> > >Mountain Boys.
> > >
> > >Ultimately, kickstarting King Records on Brewster Avenue can provide a
> > >transformative opportunity for us to embrace and take pride in our music
> > >and civic history like never before.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Let's re-open Brewster and Montgomery with statue of Mr. Syd Nathan
> > >showing
> > >us the way to King Records!
> > >
> > >
> > >So, pursuant to the privilege granted to us as non-profits, The
> Cincinnati
> > >USA Music Heritage Foundation (CMHF) and the Bootsy Collins Foundation
> > >(BCF), formally plea for this designation immediately, so that the
> > >buildings are protected and a deserving path to restoration happens.
> > >
> > >With the protected status of a historic designation, BCF and CMHF pledge
> > >ongoing leadership in partnering with the community, for which a strong
> > >grassroots foundation has been built, for a truly deserving King Records
> > >legacy and future.
> > >
> > >In accordance with City Code 1435-05 and 1435-07, our request addresses
> > >the
> > >mission of the historic conservation legislation because of the people,
> > >culture, music, art, business, socio-economics and events associated
> with
> > >the former King buildings at 1540 Brewster Avenue.
> > >
> > >
> > >Enclosed with this plea are books, articles, music and video resources
> > >establishing why we should be King at 1540 Brewster. We will send and
> > >advise the public to weigh in to the best of our ability.
> > >
> > >There is a growing list of community partners with BCF and CMHF which
> > >includes King Studios, The Inclusion Network, Cincinnati State Technical
> > >and Community College, Shake It Records, WCET/ThinkTV, Xavier
> University,
> > >Elementz, All Night Party, Cincinnati Playhouse, School for Creative and
> > >Performing Arts, XU Radio with Lee Hay, Mr. Rhythm Man with WNKU,
> Neltner
> > >Small Batch, The Train Kept a-Rollin' Guitar Army and more.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >On The One,
> > >
> > >
> > >Patti Collins
> > >President and Co-Founder
> > >Bootsy Collins Foundation
> > >Co-Founder and Officer
> > >Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation
> > >
> > >
> > >Marvin Hawkins
> > >President and Co-Founder
> > >Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation
> > >
> >
>