A toast to historic S.L. Victorian

A toast is appropriate, Genevieve Atwood says, hoisting an imaginary glass and serving up a slogan from her family history.

"Sparkle brewed to the altitude — Fisher Beer. Let's drink to Ralph Becker," she said.

Atwood's praise for the Salt Lake City mayor flows from their shared appreciation for the Albert E. Fisher Mansion, a 115-year-old Victorian-style home near the Jordan River on the city's west side.

The home was built in 1893 for German immigrant Albert Fisher who a year later founded the A. Fisher Brewing Co. Atwood is Fisher's great-granddaughter.

The mansion, one of few built west of State Street, housed the St. Mary's Home for Men for more than 30 years. Salt Lake City purchased the property in June for $450,000 because a portion of the land was needed to complete the Jordan River Parkway.

The city had been planning to sell off the remaining property until Becker stepped in and decided to make it the first project of his Salt Lake Solutions program.

"The more we looked at the Fisher Mansion and talked about it, the more we felt we need to hold onto it for the benefit of the community," he said.

Now, the mayor is asking for the public's help in determining how to best reuse the historic home at 1206 W. 200 South. A free open house will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today when people can tour the mansion and share their ideas with city staff.

Becker first announced the Salt Lake Solutions initiative and his plans for the Fisher Mansion during his State of the City address on Jan. 15, saying the facility "offers a great opportunity for our city, neighborhood residents, visitors and local businesses."

The mansion has the potential to meet "multiple community objectives," he said, such as "advancing historic preservation, tying together our waterways and urban trails network, expanding cultural offerings, showcasing environmental stewardship and offering public access via bus from TRAX and a bike path."

The mayor's office has been flooded with ideas for the property since the speech, Becker said, and he expects to hear plenty of fresh ideas today and in weeks to come. The mayor is in the process of appointing a committee of stakeholders and community representatives to review the options and then make recommendations for the property's reuse.

Atwood has been invited to represent the family on the committee and said she's thrilled to be able to play a role in deciding the mansion's future.