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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes July 81h- 2020 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Paul Arnold, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Steve Cummings, Gerald Jacklin, Andrew Smith, Kristopher Ulrich, Deb Allison-Aasby EXCUSED: ABSENT: Elizabeth Hintz STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Mark Lyons (Planning Services Manager - Attended via Webex), Joe Ferlo (President and CEO, The Grand), David Lange (Operations Manager, The Grand), Rod Frederickson (Appleton Sign) 1. Call to Order Ms. Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of March 11th, 2020 Meeting Minutes Ms. Brabender Mattox asked the Commission if there were any revisions for the March meeting minutes. No Commissioners had any changes so the Commission approved the minutes as written 7-0- 1 (Arnold/Cummings, abstain - Ulrich). 3. Grand Opera House - Proposed Signage - Discussion/Action Commissioners, staff, and guests did brief introductions. Mr. Ulrich introduced himself as a new commissioner and stated that he lived on Irving Avenue. Ms. Allison-Aasby stated that she was the new Council Representative for the Commission. The rest of the commissioners and staff introduced themselves and Mr. Ferlo, Mr. Lange, and Mr. Frederickson introduced themselves. The Commission then turned it over to Mr. Ferlo who was there to present on the Grand Opera House signage proposal. The proposal consisted of three parts (marquee, EMC, and blade signs) and was intended to provide better visibility for the building. Mr. Ferlo was working with Appleton Sign on the project and explained that he last came before the Commission in January 2019. Mr. Ferlo had since worked with Appleton Sign to adjust the colors and designs. He stated that the project did not get into the city CIP but that he had secured funding from Festival Foods for 100% of the project. Festival Foods would have naming rights for 10 years. Mr. Ferlo explained that the Grand Opera House Foundation had secured a new lease with the City for the Grand Opera House. Mr. Ferlo then showed the Commission what changed with the signage proposal. The sign contractor had switched yellow portions of the signage for bronze. The new marquee sign would be installed over the existing marquee. The EMC enclosure proposed for the west facade of the adjoining building included design elements similar to the Grand and Annex buildings. The EMC included a round medallion based on the Grand. The blade sign would project no more than 4' from the fagade of the building to meet code. Mr. Ferlo asked the Commission where to place the blade sign. He initially preferred a centered position. He stated that moving the blade sign to the corner was an option. He showed examples of other historic theaters showing different signage. The Grand Theater in New London was a sister theater that served as inspiration. Mr. Ferlo emphasized that he wanted to have the signage complete by the September 1211, reopening of the Grand. Ms. Stoll Olthoff asked if Mr. Ferlo and the sign contractor knew what the yellow LEDs would look like and whether they would be warm or cool. Mr. Frederickson answered that they could put a dimmer on the LEDs and use the LEDs as more accent lighting. Mr. Ulrich stated that placing the blade sign in the middle of the fagade would cover key architectural features of the building. He stated that shifting the sign to the side was a compromise. Mr. Arnold mentioned the benefits of symmetry but agreed with Mr. Ulrich on the sign covering features. Mr. Cummings explained that moving the sign to the side would have a cleaner look. Mr. Arnold commended Mr. Ferlo for finding funding and not putting branding on the signs. Mr. Ulrich asked if the donor would be mentioned on a plaque on the exterior or in the lobby. Mr. Ferlo answered that Festival would be recognized in the lobby and outside the main entrance. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that historically the blade said "Grand" and not "The Grand." She wanted a simple design and stated that the Grand was not flamboyant Queen Anne architecture but more classical. She asked how the signs were attaching to the building. Mr. Frederickson stated that his group would have to determine whether the attachment was with thru bolts or epoxy. He stated that the blade sign would mount to two locations. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked whether the Commission preferred to vote on the sign package as a whole or separately. Mr. Cummings, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Arnold stated that they preferred to vote on the package as a whole. Mr. Ferlo presented on the marquee and stated that he would take the existing letters from the front that Terry Laib did and find a place to use them. Mr. Ferlo and Mr. Frederickson stated that the proposed marquee sign would not have much connection to the building but more to the canopy. Mr. Frederickson stated that the low voltage LEDs could save $3,000 in energy costs. He explained that only sign copy areas would be lit. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the tri-line design proposed for the marquee was Art Deco in nature and representative of design from around 1915 to the 1930s. Mr. Arnold, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Ulrich stated that the sign benefitted from the lines. Mr. Ulrich asked if the signage would oscillate or be stationary. Mr. Ferlo answered that the signage would be stationary. Ms. Stoll Olthoff asked if the marquee bulbs were round orbs. Mr. Frederickson answered affirmatively. Mr. Frederickson stated that the EMC would dim at night and that it was automatic with a manual override. Mr. Jacklin supported this arrangement. Mr. Frederickson explained that the message could stay the same or change and that a user could program in a schedule on the sign. Mr. Ferlo stated that the Foundation had a maintenance agreement with Jon Urben at the City. Mr. Frederickson explained that the EMC would use a 10 mm display rather than a 12 mm which was proposed originally. Mr. Cummings asked if the sign enclosures would attract bugs. Mr. Frederickson answered that the enclosures would be fully enclosed so that bugs could not get in. He explained that the EMC was designed so that the structure could remain and the 12"x12" EMC panels be replaced as needed. He stated that LEDs could last around 100,000 hours so about 11.4 years in continuous operation. Mr. Ulrich stated that he had no problems with the EMC. Mr. Ferlo asked if Mr. Wiley would be the contact person. Mr. Wiley answered affirmatively and explained the timetable for the project. He explained that the placement of the blade sign would require either a Board of Appeals variance or a zone change and a Planned Development through the Plan Commission and Common Council. The Commission voted to approve the sign package concept 8-0 with the understanding that the blade sign would be moved to the side as shown in the concept (Cummings/Stoll Olthofj). 4.452 N. Main Street Property — Potential National/State Register Nomination Mr. Wiley stated that the owner of 452 N. Main Street had expressed an interest in applying for Historic tax credits to address a leaking roof. The structure was a contributing structure in the North Main Street Historic District. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what the process was. She explained that she had spent much time on research. She asked about the glass panels on the fagade. Mr. Arnold stated that as far as he knew the panels were replacements. Mr. Cummings asked if anyone knew the history of the building. Mr. Arnold stated that he could look into the glass panels. The building was the Tip Top Tavern but not for a large portion of its life. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she had found nothing in the first 25 years of the building's history. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to connect with owner Kathy Sakschek and facilitate the process with SHPO. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would keep researching the property. She explained that one of the Commission's goals was to help people with tax credits. 5. *Merrill School — Discussion Only Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the school district planned to go to referendum and the referendum included demolishing Merrill and Webster Stanley Schools. She stated that architect Ephram Stevens designed Merrill School and that the original section was constructed in 1900. The junior high school was constructed in the 1920s and designed by Henry Auler. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she had worked with developer Tim Hess to complete the initial determination of eligibility in time for the review board meeting and heard from SHPO National Register Coordinator Peggy Veregin that the building was in the top 2 or 3 Art Deco examples of architecture in Oshkosh. She stated that based on the response from Ms. Veregin it would be worth proceeding with a National and State Register nomination for the property. Mr. Hess had talked to the district and the original language was changed in the referendum. Mr. Jacklin asked if the interior of the building was in fair condition. Ms. Brabender Mattox answered that the schools were on lockdown so it was not possible to enter the buildings to see their conditions. She stated that the elementary school was a 1900 building and that when interior access was restored it would be easier to determine the interior condition. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the gym was a significant portion of the building and that the proscenium appeared to be original. Mr. Smith stated that the school was past its lifespan and that it posed maintenance issues for the district. He stated that it was expensive to maintain. Mr. Arnold stated that the Commission should still support the idea of keeping the building open for adaptive reuse. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she was not fighting the idea of a new school. Ms. Stoll Olthoff stated that the original referendum language would be changed. Mr. Lyons explained that the school district updated the referendum language. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked that the school district support a way to adaptively reuse and preserve the Merrill School building if possible. Ms. Allison-Aasby stated that she needed to leave for another meeting. 6. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and Ms. Stoll Olthoff seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:26 pm (8-0). Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Associate Planner