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by Robin Erb, Blade staff writer
The Blade (Toledo, OH)
12-30-97
While a Bryan developer and Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner continue to bicker over plans for a mall in Maumee, a growing group of preservationists is working behind the scenes on plans for the area just across the road from the proposed development.
Over the past few weeks, the citizens groups has taken several steps, albeit small ones, in their ongoing effort to preserve the site of the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers, which is now farm fields and woods.
"We've been working on this for a while now, and it's time that we put some permanent organization in it," said Kathryn Johnson, one of the leaders of the effort.
The scene of the short skirmish, which opened the northwest to white settlement and forced American natives from their land, is northeast of North Jerome Road and U.S. 24.
The land would be designated as a historical site or park by the National Park Service if the preservationists get their way.
But just across North Jerome Road is a 430-acre parcel of land now in question too. Mr. Isaac, president of Bryan-based Isaac Group Holdings, Inc., said earlier this month he will buy it from the city of Toledo. Eventually, the site would hold a regional mall and other development if plans hold.
His announcement set off a sparring match with Mayor Finkbeiner on what kind of mall would be built.
In addition, it disappointed some preservationists who ideally would have like the area around the battle site to remain untouched out of respect for those who were killed there.
"We'd rather not have the mall, naturally," Mrs. Johnson said. "But we've pretty much accepted the fact that we're not going to change that."
At least the preservation group can hope to save the actual battle site, Maumee Mayor Steve Pauken said. "We'll work together to find the best solution," he said.
They have begun to take steps toward that solution.
On Dec. 17, an alliance -- its name has not been determined -- held an organizational meeting to pull together different groups interested in preserving the battle site.
The Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Commission, the Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor Commission, and several historical societies all were represented.
On the same day, the Toledo Area Metroparks board signed onto the effort, vowing to manage the site should it be designated by the federal park service.
The move commits the park district indefinitely to management costs for the site.
"But it's a natural extension of what we do," Metroparks spokesman Art Weber said.
Additionally, organizers of the preservation alliance have begun to collect money pledges in case they must buy the land, which Mr. Finkbeiner at one time suggested was worth $50,000 an acre.
Maumee already has set aside $500,000 to help buy the site, if needed. And in the last few weeks, the alliance tentatively has obtained a second $500,000 pledge for the purchase of the site, Mrs. Johnson said.
She refused to name the potential donor, saying the offer was tentative only.
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