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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.08.23 Landmarks Commission MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes November 8, 2023 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Kristopher Ulrich, Steve Cummings, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Paulette Feld, Sara Stichert, and Gerald Jacklin ABSENT: STAFF: Amy Fels, Museum Archivist and Karl Buelow, City Council Member Meeting Minutes: 1) Call to Order Meeting called to order by Shirley Brabender Mattox at 3:02pm. Ms. Brabender Mattox welcomed the two members of the public in attendance, Jeff Davis and Joe Ferlo, to the meeting. Mr. Davis and Mr. Ferlo introduced themselves to the Commission and their purpose for attendance. 2) Approval of October 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes Ms. Stoll Olthoff motioned to approve and was seconded by Mr. Cummings. The minutes were unanimously approved. 3) Public Comment a. Jeff Davis 584-586 N. Main Street Window Replacement Project Mr. Davis presented he and his wife’s plan to renovate and revitalize their recently purchased property at 584-586 N. Main Street into a recording studio and retail space and two apartments. Mr. Davis’s primary concern for attending this meeting was his intention to replace nine windows on the second floor of the property that are either broken or are no longer sealed. His intention is to match some of the other windows that have already been replaced in the property. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Davis if he was applying for tax credits, and Mr. Davis stated that, if available, they would like to. Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that, if that was his intention, window replacements must be done according to SHPO restrictions and use appropriate materials. Ms. Stoll Olthoff asked if Mr. Davis was set in his plan to use vinyl window replacements, and Mr. Davis responded that he would possibly be open to other options but that their current plan was the most time and cost effective given that winter is quickly approaching. Mr. Cummings asked what Mr. Davis’s intention for the building facades were, and Mr. Davis stated that it was to clean up the brick and apply some fresh paint since portions of it are original. Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that having original photos of the exterior would be helpful in their efforts. Mr. Ulrich cautioned Mr. Davis against getting involved in any mural projects too soon, because doing it incorrectly could damage the longevity of the building. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about other structural projects they intend to undertake on the property and noted that if the total cost comes to $50,000, Mr. Davis would be eligible for historic tax credits if the work were done in accordance to regulations. Mr. Davis asked if it would be possible to replace the windows now, given the coming winter, and return to potentially replace them with more historically appropriate materials later. Ms. Stoll Olthoff replied in the affirmative, because the building has already been altered and the Commission does not have the authority to prevent him from doing so. Mr. Ulrich recommended not squaring off the originally arched windows. Ms. Feld recommended reaching out to the owners of the property on 6th and Main who did a recent renovation according to historical guidelines for advice or recommendations. Mr. Davis and the Commission seemed in agreement that having a short-term and long-term plan was a satisfactory course of action. Mr. Davis then departed. b. Grand Opera House Update from Joe Ferlo Joe Ferlo provided an update to the Commission for the upcoming plans for the Grand Opera House. The intended work will be done in the back corner of the building to improve accessibility to the dressing rooms and backstage, particularly for those who use wheelchairs. The work will also increase the size of the dressing rooms and replaces the existing sewer line that runs to the alley and avoid serious impending problems with the current restrooms. The offices will also be moved. Mr. Ferlo stated that he will have drawings and plans to present to the Commission early in the new year, but he did not want to get through the City budget process without providing an update. All of the projects are designed to address existing structural issues with the building and provide a better operational model for the Grand. Catering prep areas will be improved and improve functionality of the Grand lounge. Mr. Ferlo stated that they intend to reuse original brick material into the new addition. The Grand project is in the upcoming CIP budget for $3 million, contingent upon the Grand being able to raise an additional $3 million, with half a million of the city’s funding being released in January 2024 engage architects and prepare a bid package. Mr. Ferlo stated it his intent to return to the Commissioners in January or February 2024 to show them drawings. Mr. Ulrich asked if they would be different from the drawings they had been shown at an earlier date, and Mr. Ferlo said yes. The ground plan of the new drawings would remain largely the same, but the finishes would be different to fit the building better. Mr. Ulrich asked if any other historical elements of the building would be changed, and Mr. Ferlo said no. Mr. Ulrich asked if the new addition would extend into the current parking space, and Mr. Ferlo said no, that the intention is to fit the new addition within the existing footprint of the building. Mr. Jacklin how long the work might take and for how much of that time the Grand would be closed. Mr. Ferlo said that, in general, 2024 will be spent raising matching funds, that the plan will go to bid in early 2025, and that they would break ground after the end of the performance season sometime during the summer of 2025. The work is anticipated to take anywhere from eight months to a year to complete, but that there are plans to hold Grand programming elsewhere in the community while work is happening. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if Mr. Ferlo is working with a local contractor, and Mr. Ferlo replied that the City is requiring them to work with Tom Karrels, which Mr. Ferlo is supportive of. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if Mr. Ferlo had been in touch with SHPO. Mr. Ferlo noted that SHPO communications will be coordinated by Grand staff but will come from the City because the Grand is a municipally-owned building. Mr. Cummings asked about the new catering prep area, and Mr. Ferlo responded that it will not be anything too intensive or complex. The intent is to provide caterers with efficient, ample space to prep food for receptions or stage dinner events. Mr. Ferlo thanked the Commissioners for their time and then departed. 4) Commissioner Statements a. Oshkosh Herald articles - Topics related to Historic Preservation Ms. Brabender Mattox shared her most recent article about old-growth lumber versus new-growth lumber. Ms. Brabender Mattox said she wanted to create an awareness among people who own older properties about value and longevity of old-growth lumber. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Ms. Stoll Olthoff if there were a future article from what she learned about windows at the state historic preservation conference, which Ms. Brabender Mattox, Ms. Stoll Olthoff, and Mr. Jacklin all attended. Ms. Stoll Olthoff said yes there could be. Mr. Jacklin stated his intended article for November is about why Oshkosh’s historical structures and appearance are beneficial. Ms. Brabender Mattox reminded the Commission that the hope for future topics is to remain focused on things that are still currently in the City, buildings and sites. It would be easy to write about buildings and industries that are gone, but that does little to educate people about preserving the properties that remain. Mr. Jacklin asked if it would be possible to post their articles to the Landmark’s Facebook page. Fels stated that, as the City liaison, she has to be the person to post content to the page, because the Landmarks Commission is a City entity. Fels also noted that the article in its entirety could not be posted, because that would violate the Herald’s copyright of the article, but that it may be possible to post links to the article. Ms. Brabender Mattox then encouraged the Commissioners to bring future article ideas to the next meeting. b. Section 106 Review - Raulf Place, 530 N. Main Ms. Brabender Mattox provided updated communications and plans from the project consultant regarding antenna placements. The new proposal is that the new antennas will be added to the penthouse tower of the building to avoid adding anything further to the side of the primary building. US Cellular has also agreed to paint their existing antennas a color that better matches the building and will color match the new antennas as well. Ms. Feld motioned to approve of Ms. Brabender Mattox contacting the consultant on behalf of the Commission to express their approval of the updates. Mr. Cummings seconded. The members of the Commission unanimously voted in favor, with Councilor Buelow abstaining. The motion was carried. c. Section 106 Review - Jackson Oregon Bridge Project - Park Plaza (City Center) Ms. Brabender Mattox provided the Commissioners with a partial copy of the project consultant’s report. Ms. Brabender Mattox pointed out that the consultant does not consider the Park Plaza Mall to be potentially eligible for historic register status due to significant alterations completed after 2001. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked the Commissioners what direction they wanted to go. Mr. Cummings asked what the goal of the Commission was in regards to this item. Ms. Stichert and Ms. Feld expressed traffic and pedestrian safety concerns about the proposed new bridge. Mr. Cummings asked if the Commission was spinning its wheels because the DOT will ultimately choose the most cost-effective bridge design, regardless of what the Commission says. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated they were concerned with the impact the new bridge would have on the view, setting, and accessibility of Park Plaza, which the Commission considers to be potentially historically significant. Mr. Ulrich commented that it is better to have a bridge that encourages people to engage with the downtown area, not fly over it. He stated that if a case were to be made, it would be to argue the importance of placemaking and that the new bridge should be visually appealing, inviting, and not an industrial wall. Ms. Feld expressed a desire to know what the specifications of the current proposed bridge design are, since it has gone through multiple iterations. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she could reach out to her contact at the DOT to express the Commission’s intention to file a report but that it would not meet the November 28th deadline. d. Certified Local Government Program Historic Preservation Fund Subgrant Application Nominees Update Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Fels if she could explain what Sarah Phillips and Mark Rohloff discussed in regards to this item, but Fels stated that she did not know what the content of the conversation was, only that she was aware it took place. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the Commission has done previous historic district nominations using CLG grants and reiterated that this one was for Oaks Candy and the old German Methodist Episcopal Church, currently La Luz Del Mundo. The deadline for the application is in December. 5) Staff Liaison Report a. Monthly Building Permit Report The Commissioners reviewed the month’s building permits. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated she would contact David and Dorothy Zerbe to inform them they may be eligible for historic tax credits for their heating and air conditioning project. She also stated she would contact the Butlers, who are intending to undertake a window project. There were also two roofing projects for properties on Algoma Boulevard that might also qualify. b. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Mr. Cummings requested an item to discuss future historic districts on the South Side of the city. 6) Adjournment Ms. Feld motioned to adjourn and Ms. Stichert seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 4:33pm.