HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 2021_0407 530 N Main Letter_US Cellular
City of Oshkosh
Dept. of Community Development
Planning Services Division
215 Church Ave., PO Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
(920) 236-5059 (920) 236-5053 FAX
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Mark Lyons, Director
Planning Services Division
April 15, 2021
Alyssa L. Pappamichiel
Edge Consulting Engineers
624 Water Street
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
RE: US Cellular / Oshkosh DT / 776305
530 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Dear Ms. Pappamichiel,
The Oshkosh Landmarks Commission is registering a statement regarding the placement of cell
phone towers and antennae near a historic district. Our mission is to safeguard the historic
integrity of the built structures and districts of Oshkosh and we respectfully submit our
explanation:
1. Completely object to installation of a cell phone antenna on historic structures that are
on the state and national historic register, eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or
contributing structures within a historic district;
2. Strongly discourage installation of antenna on historic structures that are on the register
or eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or contributing structures within a historic
district even if they are incorporated into the building’s architecture as not to be visible
(because they pose a threat to the historic integrity of the building/structure);
3. Discourage installation on non-contributing structures within an historic district; but,
if sited on said structures, the installation should be incorporated into the architecture
and/or sited, and screened as not to be obvious or visible within the historic district;
4. Are concerned with an installation of a tower or antenna on non-contributing structures
outside a historic district if they have a visual impact on a historic district or other
structures of local historic significance.
The US Cellular project to install additional antennae structures on 530 N. Main Street is in an
historic district. Moreover, it is on an historic structure, the city’s 1927 ten-story skyscraper, the
tallest building in Oshkosh’s historic downtown. The proposed antennae collocation is totally
inappropriate and would fit under # 1, above.
The present proliferation of antennae line the perimeter of the building on 530 N. Main Street
and totally distract from the historic high-rise’s glazed terra cotta façade, with pinnacles, spires,
crenellated parapet, shields, and tiles. “The scale and vertical emphasis of the structure dominate
this portion of Main Street and makes it a visual landmark” in the historic view-shed from the
north, south, east, and west within the North Main St. Historic District and from many of the
contributing historic buildings.
The citizens of Oshkosh celebrated the reopening of Oshkosh’s Main Street after a $6 million
reconstruction. Most of the proud owners of historic downtown buildings are local residents who
have personally invested millions of dollars into preserving the heart of this city. Partnering with
the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, business owners have invested in remodeling
storefront facades. The City of Oshkosh has buried the utility lines to better allow for the skyline
of historic buildings and the total vista of an historic district.
The Irving-Church Historic District and local-landmark 226 High Avenue, within two to three
blocks from the proposed antennae replacements and installations on 530 N. Main Street, also
have views of Oshkosh’s Downtown historic skyscraper and are distracted because of the present
installations and any future conspicuous additions to the roof terrace and observation tower.
In January 2017 the City of Oshkosh adopted the Central Mixed Use (CMU) District Building
Design Standards (30-245) with architectural guidelines. The present installations on the
building’s rooftop and tower would never be approved in today’s review because of the
detrimental visual impact on the building and the surrounding historic district. The Landmarks
Commission proposes that no new additions be allowed on the building and as the antennae
become obsolete that they would not be replaced.
The Landmarks Commission’s job is to be vigilant and safeguard the integrity of Oshkosh’s
architectural heritage and prevent any further compromise to its treasure of historic buildings.
The Landmarks Commissioners are in total agreement that the present antennae have
compromised the visual impact of the historic skyline and oppose any antennae additions to the
building. The Landmarks Commissioners concur that “enough is enough!”
Please do not hesitate to contact Steven Wiley, City Staff Liaison to the Landmarks Commission
at 920.236.5062 if you have any questions or concerns regarding this letter.
Respectfully,
Shirley Brabender Mattox Steven D. Wiley, AICP
City of Oshkosh Landmarks Commission Staff Liaison, Planning Department