Calif.
Environmentalist Eyes Former Masonic Temple
by Timothy W. Scee II
Special
to Newzjunky.com
Published June 18, 2010
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — “He
is very enthralled with the area,” Jane G.
Morrison, wife of environmentalist author and filmmaker,
Michael C. Tobias, said Thursday.
At a Watertown Local Development Corp. meeting Thursday,
the corporation’s chief executive officer, Donald W.
Rutherford, said Tobias, Los Angeles, Calif., is only one
of many “interested parties” who have shown interest
in buying the derelict Masonic Temple, 242 Washington St.
“I
specifically talked to a gentleman out in California,”
Rutherford said. “He’s the CEO of the foundation that
is looking at the possibility of acquiring the building.
Rutherford informed fellow WLDC members that Tobias
requested a feasibility study be done to determine the
“structural issues” of the building and estimated
repair costs.
The WLDC CEO noted that the estimated cost of demolition
for the $125,000 building may also be included in the
study.
“Really what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to
determine what it is going to take to get this thing
restored, or what it would take, if the decision was made,
to tear it down,” Rutherford said.
Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham, however, took issue with publicly
funding a feasibility study for a private property
transaction.
“I think for us to get into spending money to facilitate
a sale for a private entity is problematic,” he said.
The Dancing Star Foundation, Tobias’ organization,
says in its mission, “The goal of Dancing Star
Foundation is to help sensitize people throughout the
world to the critical importance of biodiversity, animal
protection and conservation.”
Morrison said although Tobias was given a tour of the
building, she could not confirm any intentions on what the
building would be used for or if any additional talks
between Tobias and realtors have been made.
Tobias was unable to be reached for comment Thursday.
“I
specifically talked to a gentleman out in California,”
Rutherford said. “He’s the CEO of the foundation that
is looking at the possibility of acquiring the building. 
