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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5 - Grand Opera House Interior ModificationsOSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION TO: Landmarks Commission FROM: Steven Wiley, Staff Liaison DATE: March 411,, 2020 SUBJECT: Item 5: Grand Opera House Interior Modifications — Direction from Commission to Staff - Action 1.) Initiated by: Jane Cryan This was initiated by a citizen and involves a concern regarding the television screens mounted on each side of the proscenium arch and stacked speakers beneath the screens. 2.) Is the item related to an Historic District/contributing, listed individually, Landmarked or eligible? The property is City property and is individually listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. 2a.) Does item conform with all Local, State, or other Ordinances, Statutes? The project does not appear to violate any regulations, except that the Landmarks Commission was not notified before the screens were installed. 2b.) Has the State Historical Society been notified or involved? Yes. Ms. Cryan and staff reached out to Katie Kaliszewski (Compliance Reviewer) at the State Historic Preservation Office and was informed that the mounting of the screens on the arch was done in a reversible manner. Nothing further could be done from a compliance standpoint. See text of Katie Kaliszewski's email to Jane Cryan below: The exact statute a local unit of government need(s) to follow is Wisconsin State Statute 66.1 1 1 1 and 44.42. Additional information can be found on our website at https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS3906 There is no compliance complaint procedure with our office or the National Register of Historic Places. When we receive information from concerned citizens, we reach out to the owners or agencies to determine next steps and make sure the compliance process is moving forward. Additionally, the National Register is a largely honorific title; other than state statutes and local ordinances, there is no oversight and no office to make a complaint to. Again, under 66.1 1 1 1, the local unit of government gets to make the determination if the proposed project will adversely affect their historic resource. After reviewing the installation and talking with the staff at the Grand Opera House, this office does not believe they needed to submit materials under 66.1 1 1 1. The installation of the screens has no potential to impact why the property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The screens are appropriately sized for the space and are not hanging on plaster, but instead on the open -grill space that was originally for organ pipes. The installation appears entirely reversible. If the materials had been submitted to this office, we would have found the project to have no adverse effect on the property. I understand your concern. As an architectural historian, I appreciate the ability for people and agencies to be able to perfectly preserve their spaces to their historic period, however, 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 preservation compliance law understands that spaces occasionally need to be changed and updated to continue to be of use for the community. When that is the case, we ask that the changes be able to be easily reversible. This is what has happened at the Grand Opera House. I understand if you continue to have issue with their installation, but there is nothing from a compliance stand point that can be done further. 2c.) Are other organizations or entities involved? The Grand Oshkosh, Inc. is the entity responsible for the performance season and rental activities at the Grand Opera House. The State Historic Preservation Office was involved. 3.) Are Historic Tax Credits applicable for this item? No 4.) Does this pertain to municipally -owned structures? The City owns the Grand Opera House. 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 can determine through action if staff should follow up and obtain more information on this item, keep the item on the agenda, and invite Joe Ferlo and Jane Cryan in for discussion. Discussion Considerations 1.) More research or follow up on Item? The Commission should decide. Ms. Cryan wanted to know when the screens were mounted and who authorized their mounting. 2.) Evidence of "original"? Restore to what time period? Staff or Commissioners would have to research to determine whether or not historic images of the interior exist. 3.) Replacement Materials: accepted by State Historical society? N/A 4.) Consideration of `undo hardship on ownersT Funding sources? The economic considerations of operating the Grand and maintaining donor/funding support are an issue to consider. 5.) Take actions? Action at this point is to determine whether staff should follow up and seek further information on the item, and whether to invite Joe Ferlo and Jane Cryan in for discussion 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. LANDMARKS at an upcoming COMMISSION Landmarks meeting. 6.) Follow up? Staff will follow up depending on Commission direction. 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.