FDL City Council Approves Retlaw Theater Project Request To Apply For Grant

The redevelopment of the former Retlaw Theater in downtown Fond du Lac cleared one hurdle last night as the City Council approved allowing for the applying for a $500,000 state grant. Community Development Director Wayne Rollin says the grant is important in the financing of the $2.3 million project that will allow Commonwealth Development to relocate their corporate headquarters there and build 10 market-rate apartments on the second and third floors. City Manager Joe Moore said he’d been contacted by someone yesterday who said they had a competing offer for development, but offered no details. Council Vice-President Lee Ann Lorrigan says the property on South Main has been on the market for five years. She says they know with Commonwealth that the company will follow through on development of the property. She says the property right now is run down. Council President Sam Meyer abstained from the vote because he has an adjacent property. The Council approved the request on a 6 to nothing vote. The project still needs approvals from the Redevelopment Authority and Historic Preservation Commission.