Saturday, November 25, 2006

By Chris Schultz
Gazette Staff

WILLIAMS BAY-Three architectural teams hired by Chicago financier Richard Driehaus to develop plans for Yerkes Observatory and its surrounding grounds will present their options for the observatory Dec. 2.

A public open house at Yerkes, 373 Geneva St., also is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. that day. Visitors can tour the observatory and learn about its continuing research in astronomy and astrophysics, and its education outreach for students from the middle school to university level.

The firms, two from Chicago and one from Los Angeles, will make their presentations starting at 2 p.m. at Williams Bay High School, 500 W. Geneva St.

The three architectural teams are: John Nelson and Brad Bloecher of Harley Ellis Devereaux of Chicago; Walker Johnson and Ben Johnson of Johnson, Lasky, also of Chicago; and Stefanos Polyzoides and Christian Arndt of Moule & Polyzoides of Los Angeles.

Questions and comments will be taken from the audience starting at 4:30 p.m. The presentation is scheduled to end by 6 p.m.

Officials from the University of Chicago and Williams Bay will be present.

The University of Chicago, owner of Yerkes Observatory, had supported a subdivision and resort spa development proposed by Mirbeau, a New York developer. However, in a series of public hearings, it became apparent that Williams Bay residents did not want the development.

In late July, Richard Driehaus sent a letter to the Williams Bay Village Board offering to underwrite a "design competition" for three nationally prominent architects to present alternative options for the future of Yerkes Observatory.

According to information from Carol Wyant of Pathfinder Consulting, a firm that often works for Driehaus, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is paying each team the same amount to prepare its recommendations.

The proposed designs will be available to the university and village to use as they wish.