MCC votes down referendum to sell Lothlorien Co-op

Madison Community Cooperative (MCC) members voted against a referendum Monday to sell the Lothlorien property on 244 West Lakelawn Place.

The final tally saw 64 vote no, 57 vote yes, and 11 abstain, according to MCC Coordinating Officer Haven McClure. More than two-thirds of MCC members had to vote yes for the referendum to pass.

McClure said selling the property is not completely off of the table, but members want to focus on other options right now.

“Based on conversations I had with people who voted "no," the message I was hearing was that more alternatives need to be explored before deciding to sell the property,” McClure said.

Lothlorien Co-op had significant fire damage last September, forcing its 31 members to move out.

The referendum was proposed March 4 after months of discussion. Some MCC members said it would make financial sense to sell the property while others argued it is an essential part of MCC history.