Property Owners Address Brentwood Art Center Closure

Dear Community:

Ed and Linda Buttwinick and our family join you in your reactions about the sudden and unfortunate announcement that the BAC is to close this coming Friday.

Since selling the School in 2005, Ed and Linda have remained supportive of the BAC and involved in the BAC community. I am sure many of you know Linda has continued to take classes at the School and participate in the summer travel program. What you may not know is that as the School's landlord, they have also granted considerable rent concessions over the last 2 1/2 years on top of taking an already below market rent since the owner took over in 2005, all in support of the School's continued existence.

The School's lease terminates August 31, 2013, not at the end of this month as has been rumored. We initiated a zoning variance with the City so that if the School were to move after its lease expired next August, we would be able to replace the School with another tenant since the current use permit only allows for a school. The zoning variance process takes some time to complete, and it was not part of a plan to push the School out, only to protect Ed and Linda's retirement income were something like this weekend's announcement from the owner to happen. In fact, we have had ongoing discussions with the owner over this summer including offering the owner a lease extension, and indicating our willingness to consider further rent reductions and a lease assignment in connection with the contemplated formation of a not-for-profit corporation to take over and continue the School.

To answer some of your logistical questions, the School's lease which goes through August 31, 2013 is not yet terminated. Because we will not have possession of the building or anything inside, possibly for some time, you should do everything possible to retrieve your belongings and artwork during the times the owner has offered. After this Friday, we will not be able to help you until the lease is terminated, and we will have no control over what is or is not left inside once that has happened. Of course, once we do have control of the building back, we will do everything possible to return whatever personal property might still be there.

Needless to say, after starting the School in 1971 and running it successfully for 35 years before selling it to the current owner, Ed and Linda are devastated at this turn of events. They appreciate your expressions of support and sympathy. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to email me.

Best regards,

David Greensfelder
for Ed and Linda Buttwinick