By Patricia Bogumil
Village of Waterford officials, business leaders and interested members of the public are invited to a special meeting being called to consider possible ways to mitigate the planned removal of the former River House bar and restaurant, 101 E. Main St.
The meeting is being called by the state Department of Transportation, following a determination by the State Historical Preservation Office that the River House, and other downtown buildings impacted by the planned highways 20/83 project, may have historical significance.
The determination was made after a review of archeological and historical investigations done as part of an environmental assessment to document the highway project impacts on the community and the environment.
The State Historical Preservation Office determined that the East Main Street Downtown Commercial Historic District (which runs between the Fox River and Second Street) may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
It would qualify, the Office explained, as an intact collection of downtown commercial buildings standing as the principal commercial center of the Village, which emerged after an 1898 fire destroyed almost all businesses on the east side of the Fox River.
According to the state, removal of the River House is seen as necessary to improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection at Main and First streets.
“Removing that building impacts the historic district, so mitigation alternatives are being investigated and discussed with stakeholders,” explained a DOT letter sent Nov. 27 to interested parties.
The meeting will take place in the community room at the Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11.
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