News

Meeting brews up ideas for old Potosi plant

POTOSI, Wis. - They drank pop and lemonade, but beer was on their minds.

About 100 people looked at artwork and architect's blueprints Wednesday evening in tile former bottling plant across from the old Potosi Brewery They peered into the cavernous brewery itself - its many unsafe areas roped off with yellow tape. And they listened to tile possibilities for the 150 year-old landmark, which could become a wayside on a national bicycle route.

The meeting, field in the unfinished open air warehouse behind the bottling plant, was called by the five men who make up the Potosi Brewery Limited Liability Co.

Denis David, a Seattle businessman who grew up in Potosi, credited his cousin, Gary David, with being the "hub" behind saving the brewery.

Gary David is a Galena, Ill., woodwork artist who first acquired the bottling company for storage. The facility has a sawmill and kiln and studio space for other artists.

"It was heartbreaking to look across at the brewery and watch it deteriorate," he said.

So he couldn't pass it up when the building was available at auction. He drew his cousin into the project as well as Adam Johnson, a restoration architect in Galena; Michael Hoge a restoration mason; and Rick Tobin, a Potosi resident.

They have committed $150,000 - $200,000 to the beginning of the restoration.

"We think it will take $1 million to $2 million before it's up and running," he said.

The group hopes that area residents seeing the building's potential, will join the group as cash members or offering in-kind contributions.

Denis David said the group is trying to decide whether to become a nonprofit organization, which would make it eligible for grants.

One of the biggest boons for the building could be the possible designation of the Great River Road as a national scenic byway with a 5-foot-wide bike path.

Such a route would need waysides and shelters — a good use for the building, he said.

State Rep. Steve Freese, R-Dodgeville, said there were several possibilities for funding.

If the Legislature adopts the Wisconsin Heritage Trust Program, the brewery could apply for matching funds. He also has contacted officials at Miller Brewing in Milwaukee to see if the company would donate to save the historic building.

Denis David said the brewery's spring water had been tested and found acceptable. A spring water bottling facility, he said, could be used to help fund the project

Johnson, who specializes in architectural restoration, said the old brewery is solid.

The building, which is really a series of connected buildings, makes many independent uses possible. A bed-and-breakfast could stand next to an art studio next to a bottling plant. And, it's handicap accessible all the way around the building.

Johnson pleaded for ideas. "This is an incubation period," he said. "If you have an idea for a pizzeria or a microbrewery, we can talk about it."

©1999 Telegraph Herald