Friday, September 3, 2010
Scandal Fox Theatre admits letter to preservation hero with awesome nickname, fabulous apartment was 'misstep'
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Jesus, a guy goes out of town to hobnob with politicos and comes back to discover that the "Phantom of the Fox" — better known to us mere mortals as 83-year-old Fox Theatre resident Joe Patten — might lose his rent-free apartment inside the Midtown venue he helped save decades ago.
The theatre's general manager admitted yesterday afternoon that the Fox board's letter that informed Patten about a new lease — and which enraged community members who just want the man to enjoy the intown pad he's called home since 1971 (!) — could've been handled better. (Also a sore point: The letter was from the nonprofit board that oversees the Fox — and which Patten founded.)
Fox Theatre general manager Allan Vella admitted Thursday that a letter delivered to longtime resident Joe Patten was heavy-handed and gave the misconception that the venue needed the apartment that the 83-year-old man has called home for nearly 31 years.“There is no immediate need for that unit, for that apartment,” Vella told the AJC in an interview Thursday afternoon. “It’s not really the pressing issue that I think [the letter] appears to indicate, and I think that was kind of really a misstep on its part.” [...]
There's a long back-and-forth involved with the dispute, which you can check out here and here. Patten, who in earlier news reports said he's now wishes he'd never saved the landmark, has hired high-powered lawyer Emmet Bondurant.
Important discussions about aging in place and honoring contracts aside, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Comments (5)
Showing 1-5 of 5
Isn't it kind of jacked up that they call this guy "the Phantom of the Fox"? It's not like he's freakin' dead or anything...
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It's an expression Joe has warmly accepted. Those of us who know the impact he's played in Atlanta, not only in saving the Fox Theatre from demolition & fire, but establishing a historic preservation movement in the community.
The organization & board he helped create & fund, has, unfortunately, made a tsunami-like mistake Monday - yet refuses to admit fault, retraction of the vote, or apologize to this local icon. [Joe Patten, not the Fox itself. ;-)]
What Joe was able to save & refurbish decades ago, Atlanta Landmarks Inc will, unfortunately, in the end, be the body which, ultimately, destroys the building.
Good God! How did a nonprofit organization commit itself to providing housing and shelter for someone until his death? The original agreement with Joe Patten was stupid and ill advised, regardless of his crucial role in preserving the Fox. How dare he put a nonprofit organization in this situation! Since the Fox was stupid enough to enter into the contract, the focus of your story should be on the board members that authorized the contract back in the day, not the current board and staff who are, rightly if implicitly, questioning the actions of their predecessors.
They are not providing "Housing and Shelter. Despite the Fox's claim, Joe was granted the life time lease if he spent at least $50k constructing the apartment (he spent almost 20 times that amount). As far as being "Ill advised, Robert Patton wrote the original lease, stills continues to be a trustee, and voted against the termination of the lease. Put the non-profit it this situation? It is not a non-profit and they put themselves in this situation. Atlanta Landmarks is a LLC and has produced profits for 20 years.
Isn't the Board at Atlanta Landmarks, Inc., violating HIPPA by requiring Joe to provide them letters from his physicians that he is able to live independently and access to his physicians in their proposed lease? Is this a violation of his civil rights, and/or ADA? Joe should be able to stay in his apt. until he dies, w/whatever supports he needs and use the Fox's elevator by his door. I am sure he would pay for his own care. Doesn't everyone want to die in their own home? The Fox is Joe's home. Shame on the Board!
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