GOING TO PIECES

Both Forney and his building have their defenders. Chris Shears, former president of the Denver Rail Heritage Society, which operates the Platte Valley Trolley on the riverfront, says developers could be interested in restoring the 94-year-old building, originally used to house steam-powered generators for Denver's own trolley system, because "it's important historically." He also says that although the building is run-down, Jack Forney "is doing his darnedest to do all the repairs on a schedule he can handle."

For the next six years, though, Forney has other things to take care of first, according to Denver Building Inspection Director Doug Sutton. That's how long the Building Inspection and Fire Prevention Departments have given Forney to correct safety, fire and handicapped-accessibility problems.

Forney says any extra funds must go toward these mandatory renovation projects, which include restoring the roof and windows, upgrading the sprinkler and fire alarm systems, and building handicapped-accessible ramps and bathrooms. Until they are complete, Forney is prohibited from spending money to improve the appearance of his collection or the museum building. "The city is doing me a favor," he says. "They could come in and force me to do all the improvements at once, in which case I'd have to close."

Sutton says the city's relations with Forney actually have improved. "Up until a few years ago, we had an extremely adversarial relationship," he says, stemming from the days when J.D. Forney refused to "go through the proper channels" when it came to obtaining construction permits for the building. For this reason, says Sutton, the museum never met safety and fire prevention codes until Forney's son and the city were able to reach their current agreement.

Forney agrees that his dad often pursued construction that did not meet Denver building codes. He says J.D. "had a tough time with anybody that he thought was exercising authority unreasonably."

That may make fundraising difficult for his son. In the past, Forney hired grant writers to try and raise money for the museum from donors such as the Coors and Boettcher Foundations, but he never received any grants. "We were spending money trying to raise money, but we weren't very successful," Forney says. He adds that possible benefactors "just weren't interested in the museum."

Others blame Forney himself for the museum's sad state.
One "horrified" letter writer to the Denver Post last September complained after a visit to the Forney: "I found the [museum's] treasures in a building that was in deplorable condition with obvious neglect to the artifacts...What a shame that Denver's only museum of this type does not have a better home and showcase, run by people who are knowledgeable, interested and caring."

Forney wrote his own reply to the Post in October, saying, "We operate in the black (narrowly), and receive no city or grant money, although we have made applications. The Colorado Historical Society recently granted funds for window restoration; unfortunately, however, the society attached a condition to the grant that was impossible to meet...We are eagerly awaiting the day when we have enough funds to improve the status of the artifacts."

As proof of how poor communication is between the museum and agencies that could help it, Ittleson says staff members at CHS were not aware of Forney's stance on the grant until they read that letter.