HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 - Oshkosh Public Museum OSHKOSH
LANDMARKS
COMMISSION
TO: Landmarks Commission
FROM: Steven Wiley, Staff Liaison
DATE: September 41h,2019
SUBJECT: Item 3: Oshkosh Public Museum Building and Parking Expansion—Brad Larson
—Discussion/Action
1.) Initiated by: Brad Larson
This property is a contributing structure in the Algoma Boulevard Historic District and
is owned by the City of Oshkosh. It is the Edgar-Sawyer House (Oshkosh Public
Museum) at 1331 Algoma Boulevard. The house is an example of Elizabethan Revival (a
subset of Tudor Revival). The carriage house behind the Edgar Sawyer House is a
Tudor Revival building. Both are contributing structures in the Algoma Boulevard
Historic District. The Oshkosh Public Museum is working with Engberg Anderson
Architects on an expansion to the existing Edgar-Sawyer House and parking lot.
2.) Is the item related to an Historic District/contributing, listed individually, Landmarked
or eligible?
This property is part of the Algoma Boulevard Historic District and consists of two
contributing structures designed by William Waters in 1908.
2a.) Does item conform with all Local, State, or other Ordinances, Statutes?
This project will have a number of State Statutes it must comply with. State Statute
62.23(5) states that the City Council shall refer to the Plan Commission the location
and architectural design of any public building. Due to the work altering an existing
public building,the Plan Commission and Common Council will review the
proposal. Currently the City has no architectural design standards for
Institutional/public buildings such as these,so the Plan Commission will determine
whether the proposed addition is appropriate given the existing building and
surrounding architecture. They will also determine whether the addition is consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally,the State Statutes require that local units
of government confer with the SHPO on projects involving municipally-owned
historic properties. The SHPO will also review this project as part of the process.
2b.) Has the State Historical Society been notified or involved?
Staff recommended that the Museum Director and his architect confer with
Landmarks and that staff hold an initial workshop with the Plan Commission to see if
there is support at a local level before sending the project through to SHPO.
2c.)Are other organizations or entities involved?
No.
If you are unable to attend this meeting,it is important to notify Steven Wiley
(920-236-5062)in case a quorum cannot be attained.
OSHKOSH
LANDMARKS
COMMISSION
3.) Are Historic Tax Credits applicable for this item?
Possibly but since the property is tax-exempt the City would likely have to sell the tax
credits to another person or entity.
4.) Does this pertain to municipally-owned structures?
Yes. The Oshkosh Public Museum is municipally-owned.
5.) What is the Commission priority #for this item?
Ongoing projects and property owners that approach the Commission for input are a
top priority of the Commission,along with other ongoing tasks.
5a.) Does the Commission have enough information for action(s)?
The Commission should have enough information and can examine the proposed
plans and discuss the work proposed. The Commission would then take action to
decide whether to support the proposal or ask for changes. Commission input will
then be forwarded onto the Plan Commission as part of the Plan Commission review
process.
Discussion Considerations
1.) More research or follow up on Item?
Yes. The architect and Museum Director can take the Landmarks input and determine
how to respond. Staff has tentatively planned to hold a workshop on September 171h
with the Plan Commission to obtain input from the Plan Commission. This would then
afford the architect an opportunity to revise the proposal if necessary before submitting
the proposal to SHPO for review. After the SHPO review staff can refer the work back to
the Plan Commission and Common Council for review and approval. Staff will
determine whether a General Development Plan/Specific Implementation Plan are
needed.
2.) Evidence of "original"? Restore to what time period?
The Edgar-Sawyer house and carriage house appear to be well preserved and there are
several photographs of the original building.
3.) Replacement Materials: accepted by State Historical society?
The state will likely inform us after their review whether any issues regarding materials
would come up.
4.) Consideration of'undo hardship on ownersT Funding sources?
The City will fund the project through the Capital Improvement Program if the project is
approved. The Oshkosh Public Museum would also look to raise money too.
If you are unable to attend this meeting,it is important to notify Steven Wiley
(920-236-5062)in case a quorum cannot be attained.
OSHKOSH
LANDMARKS
COMMISSION
5.) Take actions?
The Landmarks Commission should provide input to the Museum Director and architect
so that the project team can revise the plans if need be and then staff can present the
proposal to the Plan Commission.
6.) Follow up?
Staff will present the proposal to the Plan Commission(workshop is tentatively
scheduled for September 171h) and if there is a high level of support at a local level,staff
would send the proposal to the SHPO for review. If SHPO does not require substantial
changes the proposal would go to the Plan Commission and Common Council for review
and approval.
If you are unable to attend this meeting,it is important to notify Steven Wiley
(920-236-5062)in case a quorum cannot be attained.