By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Aug 24, 2010 at 6:08 PM

Earlier, I wrote about a curious auction listing involving Turner Hall.

Late Tuesday night, the situation is a little more clear.

An e-mail from Art Heitzer, president of the Milwaukee Turners explained the situation:

"The restaurant tenant is vacating, and has a right to dispose of certain restaurant possessions, other restaurant fixtures stay with the building. All based on a lease which has long been in effect.

"All of our other functions -- a wide variety of gymnastics / rock climbing / fencing / parkour / capoiera classes and programs; Fourth Street Forum; one of the hottest performance venues in town, etc., etc. -- as well as our historic landmark building, remain quite active, secure and healthy.

"I believe we are Milwaukee's oldest civic organization, and barring quite unforseen circumstances, we plan to be around for another century plus."

According to the online listing, the Sept. 16 auction was to include the restaurant equipment and the facility. Asked by phone for clarification, a Badger Corporation employee told OnMilwaukee.com that the auction includes "the entire building, restaurant and hall."

The restaurant is just one facet of the historic building, which also includes the Turner Hall Ballroom, operated by a charitable trust and the Milwaukee Turners gym facilities.

The restaurant is operated by RC Schmidt, who also operates Water Street Brewery, Rudy's Mexican Cantina, Louise's, Trinity Three Irish Pubs, SoLo (formerly Oakland Trattoria) and The Harp.

A source with knowledge of the situation couldn't confirm or deny a possible sale but told OnMilwaukee.com that there may be a meeting regarding the Historic Turner Restaurant and Hall situation in the near future.