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] [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* Let’s 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: *“Between 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 Cincinnati’s unique geographical position as a crossroads of American culture: rhythm and blues, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, pop and blues records all poured out of King’s studios. King’s 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 King’s story to students in Ohio and around the world.”* And at the evening’s Emery Theater celebration as a part of the CEAs Rock Hall President Stewart said: *“It bears repeating and underscoring… There’s not a more important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over there on Brewster. If you folks don’t remember and preserve it, shame on you. Remember it! It is so important to American culture, world culture… what happened in that building.”* *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