Madison housing co-op timeline 1970-79

From LothWiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

1970's

  • New Wine Commune Co-op started
  • Institute for Mundane Studies a.k.a. Toad Lane Co-op renamed Rivendell Co-op
  • North Farm Co-op started
  • Langdon Area Grocery Co-op started
  • Eagle Heights Grocery Co-op started?
  • St. Francis Co-op started?
  • Black Walnut Co-op started?
  • La Samaritaine Co-op started?
  • Mound St. Housing Co-op started?
  • Badger Photo Co-op started?
  • Independent Pharmacy Co-op started?
  • Fraternity Buyers' Co-op started?, later renamed University Purchasing Co-op

1970

  • MASC receives a $3000 grant and 4500 in loans from St Francis house University Episcopal Center.
  • MASC looks at Urban Renewal project on the Triangle, but cannot get sufficient earnest mony together for a proposal.
  • MASC considers purchasing 211 Langdon, but again cannot get capital together.
  • MASC buys 225 Lakelawn Pl for Stone Manor Co-op.
  • Summit Avenue Co-op is founded at 1820 Summit Ave.
  • Nature's Bakery opens at 1101 Williamson.
  • TAA strikes and wins first UW-Madison contract.
  • Madison police teargas Mifflin St. Co-op.
  • New Years Gang bombs Army Math Building.

1971

  • MASC organizes conference attended by 1000 people from Madison area and many others. Topics include business, politics, and pleasant conversation.
  • Nottingham Co-op founded at 146 Langdon St.
  • Marvin Gardens Co-op founded at 222 Lakelawn Pl, next door to stone Manor, but lost to another buyer. Same thing happens at 22 Langdon.
  • MASC begins reopganizing, nome changed to Madison Community Cooparative(MCC).
  • Wisconsin Student Housing Development Corporation founded, leases 240 Langdon, 120 W *Gorham and Purchases 622 N Henry St.
  • Zoe Bayliss Co-op petitions Madison City Council to create Walden Park.
  • Sunflower Kitchen Co-op opens at 306 N. Brooks.
  • Brindlewood Crafts Co-op founded at 426 W. Gilman.
  • Kibbutz Langdon Co-op opens in Madison.
  • Madison police attack Yippie gathering on Mifflin St.
  • MULO formed at UW-Madison.
  • four alternative food businesses located in Madison establish Intra-Community Coopeative.(ICC)

1972

  • Langdon Neighborhood Association fights CliffDweller Apts.
  • 22 langdon torn down for 72 unit apartment building.
  • Solveig Co--op founded at 120 W Gorham.
  • Nottingham Co-op buys its house at 146 Langdon.
  • Members of Friends Campus Center and 22 Langdon move into 622 N Henry St.
  • 350 people from all over the US and Canada attend MCC conference on co-ops.
  • MCC Steering committee drows up new bylaws, which are reviewed by the Board in December, and ratified Jan 15, 1973.
  • First Co-op Fair held in August.
  • Madison's Community Pharmacy Opens
  • Summit Co-op buys old Alpha Gamma Rho house for $70,000.

1973

  • Lothlorien Co-op starts with $10,000 down.(Aug 5th)
  • MCC starts Yahara Linden with loan, help from Channig Murray fond.
  • MCC has 10 (A) member houses: 240 Langdon, Nottingham, Summit, Stone Manor, Le Chateau, Groves, Badger Photo, Solveig, Lothlorien. One (B) member: Cat's cradle craft Co-op, and 25 (C) members.
  • Chavurah started, asks MCC to buy 127 W. Gilman.
  • Willy Street Co-op established. Organizers of the new Willy St. Co-op meet at 1101 Williamson.
  • MCC proceeds to purchase 625 N Henry, many other houses, but no cash available for downpaymets
  • $2600 loaned to Kibbutz for roof repair. Kibbutz's option date to buy from MCC expires with no decision. MCC grants "the vary last" extension to Kibbutz.
  • MCC establishes tool lending library
  • MCC Co-op bus purchase considered, rejected as "insane."
  • MCC's withholding of war tax on phone bill threatens tax exemption application.
  • Meeting held with Prof. Graaskamp to review MCC's overall financial situation: how to secure longterm financing when the landcontracts come due.

1974

  • IRS denies MCC tax-exempt status.
  • MCC hires staff at $200/month, with a maintenance person for occasional repairs at $2.50/hour.
  • Isaiah 5:8 Committee holds anti-slumlord block party, outside 636 Langdon (Phoenix Co-op).
  • Landlord Korb buys 636 Langdon because MCC is "not organized." Landlord Korb and fraternity back down after occupation of Le Chateau. MCC Board votes unanimously to buy 636 Langdon. MCC buys Le Chateau for $20,000 down.
  • MCC pursues purchase of 240 Langdon(Tralfamadore) from Mutual Service Insurance Co-op. Existing lease in with Central Madison Housing Corp.(CMCH), a nonprofit organization.
  • MCC Evaluates staffing. J Jacob Wind paid $100/month for essentially full time work. MCC suggests $200/mounth for 20 hours per week.
  • John Davis of Rochdale suggests boycott of a Korb building to protest the way he is cotting up old houses. He says Le Chat would be appropriate.
  • Co-op land trust discussed as a way to keep houses over the long run.
  • J Jacob Wind resigns. Board decides to hire staff at $200/mounth
  • MCC agrees to hire a maintenance person to do scheduled maintenance checks and occasional repairs in "interested" houses on a subscription basis. Pay would be $2.50/hr.
  • MCC committee formed to investgate possibility of a grocery co-op.
  • 3rd Annual Co-op Fair held.
  • Isaiah 5:8 Committee pickets Le Chateau to protest Korb purchase: "Woe unto them that join house to house, and join field to field, untill there be no place..."
  • City approves $6050 loan for Tralfamadore repairs.
  • Badger Photo Co-op gets Mortgage transferred to them from previous owner.
  • Korb and fraternity back down after occupation of Le Chateau. MCC Board votes unanimously to buy 636 Langdon.

1975

  • MCC's board votes not to buy Solveig unless members there are interested.
  • All MCC houses flunk insurance inspection, especially housekeeping and storage of flammable materials.
  • Notification of prosecution on 20 remaining building code violations at Lothlorien.
  • Melting Snow Co-op, 508 S. Baldwin, joins MCC.
  • MCC's Jeanine Wall resigns from staff: stoff collective authorizzed of Alison Chambers, David Sakrison, Ken Perlow and Peter Brettingen, who plit pay of $250/month.
  • MCC's staff notes deteriorating condition of several houses. Board directs houses to be up to City codes, and directs staff to "work with house maintenance people to get these jobs done and develop ongoing maintenance programs at the houses."
  • MCC's report on staff collective experiment inconclusively discussed by board.
  • MCC's board votes to dissolve its lease with Stone Manor, effective in fall.
  • Institute for Mundane Studies, 622 N. Henry, asks MCC to take over their house. They ar $3000 in debt.
  • Toad Lane Co-op established at 622 N. Henry.
  • MCC's board supports Hirschman proposal to centralize maintenance accout. "people precently living in co-ops are being ripped of by former residents who never paid their share for long term maintenance."
  • Badger Photo Co-op drops out of MCC.
  • MCC obtaines collective house insurence package. Each house pays for it's share of coverage.
  • Stone Manor given ultimatum by MCC: pay or MCC will take over house books.
  • SMOOSH forms: Stone Manor Organization to Save the House.
  • Nature's Bakery moves to 1019 Williamson.
  • 2 of 3 MCC staff members resign. Ken Perlow writes: "MCC is in disastrous shape." He Cites Tralfamadore as a month behind in house payments, probaly unable to pay in January, and also owning $1200 on their repair loan in January. Ston Manor is also behind i payments, and fires are being set in their living room. Most of the independent houses have not been paying dues> The money meant for the LAGC loan is gone because ofthe house debts. And $4000 in bonds are due in Sixty days with no money available to pay them.
  • MCC's board votes to withhold security deposits of Stone Manor and Tralfamadore
  • WORT-FM started.

1976

  • MCC shuts down Stone Manor with claims of debt and apathetic membrers starts new co-op Martha's with eight members a fills slowly.
  • No quorum for first two MCC board meetings in january.
  • Russell Malmberg of Rochdale and the MCC staff hiring committee recommend:
    1. financial coordinator for 20hrs per week.
    2. community person to handle administrative work, supervise house volunteers, interhouse coordination and community liaison, also 20 hours per week.
    3. house volunteers, 3 hours per week each, to help in office but also encouraged to start on their own projects.
  • MCC membership adopts hiring committee proposal, adds third staff position of planner/coordinator. Positions start July 1st.
  • MCC board receives freternity offer for Martha's of $160,000 with MCC responsible for bringing the building up to code. Owner Steve Kailin urges board te sell. Board rejects offer, decides to out questions of sale to membership referendum.
  • Rochdale leaves MCC for "varied reasons."
  • Ken Perlw Resigns from MCC: "I can no longer remain affiliated with an organization whose purposelesness is exceeded only by its conservatism. Too many MCC houses, allegedly the models of a new humanist and egalitarian society, have degenerated into coed fraterities... MCC desperately needs a purpose far more urgently than it needs any of its real estate." (may 9th)
  • MCC notified that Solveig lease terminated effective June 10th.
  • MCC Board votes to put Le Chateau on the market for $160,000. Revised at hovde' urging to $135,000. MCC attempts to find financing are completely unsuccessful.
  • MCC board votes to accept offer of Thomas King for $132,000 unlesss a better offer is received by June 28th.
  • Jay DeNovo and Mark Koppelkam hired contigent on dues raising motion being approved at MCC membership meeting.
  • Toad Lane retracts offer to be an MCC-owned house.
  • Motion made to MCC membership to set up mandatory 10% of gross income maintanace account for owned houses, but no action taken. Motion to authorize MCC board to set up such escrow accounts is adopted. (Jaly 7th)
  • Zurich insurance company cancels MCC policy due to fire hazards, lack of maintence programs and poor housekeeping.
  • MCC board accepts offer by Steve Kailin (sale/seaseback) for Le Chateau.
  • Financial problems of Tralfamadore($3225 of debt) Lead board to issue an ultimatum: appoint a house treasurer of MCC will the house books.
  • Bob Hirschman proposes a MCC restructuring plan to split the business of the owned houses from the unowned.
  • Friend's Co-op joins MCC as an unowned house.
  • MCC workeers collective proposal adopted. Salaries for Jay DeNovo and Mark Koppelkam of $263/month for 30 hrs/week. MCC covers FICA, unemployment, Group Health and 2 Weeks paid vacation. Year contracts incllude regular salary and performance reviews.
  • MCC's Board mandates that each owned house must place 8% of gross annual income into an MCC major maintenance account. (oct 5th)
  • Le Chateau is in financial straights, with 25% vacancy.
  • International Co-op joins MCC as an unowned house.
  • MCC membership approves a general reorgaization plan along the lies proposed by Hirachman.
  • MCC Membership adopts first annual budget of $125,636.52, and equalizes house paymets, taxes, insurance and administration amongst the owned houses.
    • MCC's accountant writes: "(the proposed 1977 budget) shows a great deal of planning ad thought, and if it is approached with sincerity, it should provide MCC with the fuds necessary to begi its debt retirement. The Equalization, in our opinion, is an outstanding improvemet ad may prove to be the factor needed to get MCC back i its feet. ...(We)with to draw your attention to the inadequacies of the safety factor and longterm maintenance reserve...(It) may be wise... to draft an understanding as to when exactly these finds and all deposit and reserve funds can be dispersed, and for what reasons. ...If the equalization plan and the proposed budget are to succeed... the membership must monitor the members, noting delinquant payments, and decide how deficit may be corrected...
    • MCC Staff member Jay DeNovo writes "...endeavors other than financial become vastly more feasible when fiancial affairs are in order. ...a great deal of MCC's problems stem from a lack of financial order and understanding... (As) we face the apparent necessity of conventional financing we must tow the line drown by banks and investors... This includes having a record of making payments on time, having adaquate cash reserves and proven ability to petire debt."(Dec 12th)
  • Group Health Co-op started.
  • MIT teachers strike in Madison.

1977

  • Tralfamadore agrees to have MCC office there, assuming rent is covered. MCC's Board decides the move is not economically justified at present.
  • MCC membership approves informatiounal obligations of houses, which includes monthly membership status report and income statement, and an annual budget. A bylaw change makes MCC secretary responsible for maintenance coordination and planning. (April 17th)
  • MCC membership approves a pooled maintenance fund-3% pooled, 7% stays with houses(out of 10% of house gross income)
  • One year staff contracts approved by MCC board.
  • Tralfamadore treasurer reports house will need financial assistance. MCC board agrees to let house use portion of pooled maintenance funds.
  • MCC pursues possibility of HUD 3% interest College Housing Loan program.
  • MCC president Abbot asks Jay DeNovo to resign due to growing personality conflicts.
  • MCC board approves loan from development fund for Le Chateau roof repair.(July 27th)
  • New rental rate for LAGC negotiated.
  • MCC Nagotiating committee established to deal with staff grievances. Committee recommends higher salaries, and specific job duties.
  • MCC receives $1500 grant from Wis. Dep't of Local Affairs and Development(DLAD) to have NASCO and Design Coalition examine our maintenance program and make recommendations.
  • MCC Board approves volunteer system-- including 24 hours per month per house on maintenance, education, and finance committees, and in the MCC office.
  • Summit Ave. Co-op gets mortgage
  • Rivendell Co-op formed at 622 N. Henry (currently the purple house).
  • MCC Board approves maintenance committee oversight of house portion of pooled maintenance funds.(nov 11th)
  • Tralfamadore loses $3000 over summer, but fall budget seems OK. MCC Board approves equalizad loss amonst all 141 members($12.30 apiece), Conitioned upon use of mandatory year contracts at Tralfamadore starting fall, 1973, and upon presentation of a reasonable 1973 budget. MCC Board writes off $1287.01 debt to MCC.
  • MCC board approves "comprehensive Proposal." Icludes Finance Committee review of house books, authority to freeze member deposits, a $50 fine for failing to submit a quarterly financial statement, and a provision that security deposits be returned on the 20th of each month. A fine for late payments and the failure to submit budgets is defeatid.(Dec. 7th)
  • LAGC reports losing $1000 month.
  • Membership approves 1978 MCC budget of %124,216.56. It is a 9.4% increase, $6.50 per member per month, and includes a significant monthly contribution to capitalization(toward the financing of upcoming land contract balloon pafmentse) A proposed staff collective item ($50/month) is postponed until September. Membership refers matter of changeing teh fiscal fear to the Finance Committee. Comprehensive Proposal amended to provede for waivers of fee, a late pafment schedule for late house payments to MCC, and postement of finance committee review and authority regarding freezing of deposits until procedures and formats for statements and budgets are approved.
  • MCC Negotiating committee established to deal with Kibbutz Langdon, whose land contract with MCC expires Feb 1, 1978. Goal is to keep Kibbutz Langdon a co-op, and urge them to find finacing soon. MCC land contract bolloon payment to Delta Zeta ($61,366) is due July 19793 (Dec. 21st)
  • International Co-op members lead protest against wet t-shirt night at Madison's El Tejon bar.
  • Five unions strike Madison Newspapers included.

1978

  • Jay DeNovo proposes first job universe.
  • MCC Kibbutz negotiatin committee negotiates a 6 month extension for kibbutz.
  • NASCO/Design Coalition mantenance report completed. Recommend:
    1. an annual program of inspections for preventitive maintenance
    2. buildig up a reserve account of $20,000 for internal loans, expansion, and collateral for other loans
    3. a lending institution participation program
    4. establish rehabilitation priorities
  • Tralfamadore members vote to withhold rent increases which accompany membership approved MCC budget for 1978.
  • Project Phoenix instituted to save 240 Langdon from collapse.
  • MCC board rejects referendum question on whether to sell Tralfamadore. (Feb 15th)
  • MCC membership approves bylow amendment which provides for apprentice officer positions. (April 2nd)
  • MCC board establishes committeee to investigate in detail the impact of selling 240 Langdon.(Tralfamadore)(April 26th)
  • MCC board hires Diane Gerth, former MCC president, as MCC Financial Coordinator.
  • MCC board approves Maintenance Committee "White Paper" which outlines committee process. (may 17th)
  • LAGC-MCC leane negotiations begin.
  • MCC membership referendum held regarding Tralfamadore. Vote 59-36 to keep Tralfamadore as a co-op. Vote of 44-48 to sell Tralfamadore in the near future when board judges to be in our best interest. Vote of 68-26 information-wise that membership supports purchasing smaller houses in the next few years. Board interprets vote to infer that membership mildly supports supports board decision to keep TRalfamadore., but in any case there is still uncertainty and the board should not sell until at least next spring. Arie Carmi stiffs ballot box with 22 votes.
  • MCC board waives Tralfamadore's contribution to maintenance, roof loan, capitalization, shortterm debt, safety factor and education during summer ($743/month)
  • Tralfamadore debt reaches $6219.73 (june 21sh)
  • U.S. congress approves National Consumer Co-op Bank.
  • LAGC expands in Tralfamadore's basement.
  • MCC board writes off liability (security deposits of approximately 86 former members, totaling $4500.
  • MCC membership approves pooling of 100% of all maintenance funds. (Sept 23rd)
  • MCC Staff collective proposal implemented as special projects fund. (Nov 1st)
  • Madison Book Co-op closes with $20,000 debt.
  • MCC office moves to new location at 254 W. Gilman St. in the offices of the defunct Madison Book Co-op.
  • Anon Co-op joins MCC as a non-owned house.
  • MCC membership approves 1979 MCC budget $131,435.40 It includes a 6% increase over 1978, or $4.33 por member per month. (Dec 12)
  • MCC board approves mutial funds proposal. Savings accounts investid in money market mutual funds. (Dec 13th)
  • Madison book co-op closes.

1979

  • Yellow Jersey Co-op sells bike store to workers for a pittance.
  • MCC board endorses principle of a co-op federation. MCC purchases one share of Press Connection membership stock.(Jan 17th)
  • MCC board adopts policy directing Finance Committee to semi-annually review MCC & house books, and make a written raport to the Board and houses on the adequacy of financial records, budgets, cash flow and performance of treasurers and staff. (Feb 28th)
  • MCC board approves member contract, special projects guidelines and most of LAGC-MCC lease except for clauses on insurance, meters and taxes.(March 28th)
  • MCC board considers purchase of 437 W Johnson, home of Friend's Co-op. At minimum board supports selling $8000 in bonds for downpayment. (april 25th)
  • MCC maintenance committee "Blue Paper" enacted, detailing process and priorities for MCC maintenance. (May 15th)
  • MCC $1000 loaned to Sunspace Design (June 6th)
  • MCC board explores tax shelter refinancing for MCC houses.
  • MCC sighs 2 year cotract with staffer M Koppelkam.
  • MCC purchases $3000 worch of LAGC bonds. (June 27th)
  • MCC membership approves purchase of 437 W Johnson St. for $78,000 $8000 down on a five year land cotract.
  • Disagreements, labor dispute couse problems at Lothlorien during painting project. (Aug)
  • MCC bylows committee established, directid to examine options clarifying ownership and control of MCC's assets.
  • After lengthy discussion over nuclear power and other issues, MCC Board renews membership in the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives.
  • MCC membership approves Urban Expansion Proponal. MCC is open to expansion into smaller houses, and sets forth a rationale and process. (Oct 27th)
  • MCC board approves a camprehensive employee insurance package: health, life and disability. (Nov. 28th)
  • MCC membership approves 1980 budget: $151,422.12; a 4.5% increase over 1979, $3.54 per member per month. (Dec 9th)
  • MCC buys Friend's Co-op.
  • Union Cab starts Union Cab starts.

See Also

Retrieved from "http://lothwiki.org/wiki/Madison_housing_co-op_timeline_1970-79"
Personal tools