A Change.org petition to prevent the demolition of the Wonder Bar on Madison’s near southside has gathered more than 2,000 signatures. Located near the Alliant Energy Center, the bar is set to be demolished to make way for a proposed, 18-story mixed-use apartment building.
But community members have raised a number of concerns with the redevelopment. They say the bar is a piece of Madison history, as it was a favored watering hole for gangsters during Prohibition.
For more on the debate, WORT producer Jonah Chester spoke with Kurt Stege, Janelle Munns and Carrie Rothburd — the organizers behind the petition. Rothburd and Munns have also worked with the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation.
PHOTO: Adam Jaime / Unsplash
