HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks Minutes - 11-13-2024CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION
Minutes
November 13th, 2024
PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Sara Stichert, Paulette Feld, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Steve
Cummings, and Council Member Jacob Floam
ABSENT: Gerald Jacklin, Vicky Redlin
STAFF: Jeffrey Witte, Principal Planner
Agenda:
1) Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:08 pm.
2) Approval of October 9th Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Floam motioned to approve the September minutes, and Mr.
Cummings seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote.
3) 216 State Street – Local Landmark Request
After the Landmarks Commission's visit to the former Northwestern Building and the
adjacent building at 216 State, they discussed two potential options—locally Landmark
216 State or designate 224, 216, and 208 State Street as a Historic District. The Landmarks
Commission will wait for further action from the owner. Questions about natural
lighting for the guest rooms remain for 216 State Street.
4) WHS Certified Legal Government (CLG) Grant Application Letter of Intent
Survey/ Map Letter Sent to Residents of the 500 Block of Hazel Street and 1100 Block of
Parkway Avenue. The 2006 Historic Resources Survey lists the block as potentially
eligible for the State and National Register. Ms. Brabender Mattox handed out a copy of
the letter sent to residents for the upcoming meeting on October 25, in the lower level of
the Oshkosh Public Library at 6:00 pm. Elizabeth Hilton, Coordinator for the National
Historic Register, and Jason Tish, CGL Coordinator from the State of Wisconsin’s
Historical Society will conduct the meeting to answer questions about the benefits of
being in a historic district. The letter should have clarified what the 25% tax credit can be
applied to and how the homeowner can benefit. The State of Wisconsin Historical
Society Tax Credit brochure should be available at the Planning and Inspections
window.
5) Historic Plaques
a. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she is researching past owners and
applying for a historic plaque for her house at 1313 Jackson.
b. Oshkosh Great Fire Project - Phoenix City. A discussion occurred about
identifying each building that was rebuilt in 1875. It was proposed that a
historic plaque be placed in Opera House Square. The plaque ranges around
$1,000 - $1,500. This will need approval from the City of Oshkosh Parks
Department. There was discussion about establishing a matching fund to
purchase plaques to recognize the fire's 150th anniversary on buildings that
were built in 1875.
c. Update the City’s Landmarks website to include an up-to-date listing of
locations of historic plaques in the City of Oshkosh.
6) Oshkosh Herald Article Topics
a. Ms. Brabender Mattox is researching an article about Welton Beckett, the
architect of Park Plaza Mall, and Aristides Demetrios, sculptor of Triad, the
35’ kinetic sculpture in Center Court.
b. The Stringham Creek article will be put on hold.
7) Commissioner Statements
Ms. Brabender Mattox and Ms. Stoll Olthoff briefed the Commission about what they
learned at the WHS Local History & Historic Preservation Conference. Fiber cement
board is not a good alternative for wood siding on historic homes.
8) Staff Liaison Report
a. Monthly Building Permit Report
b. The Wisconsin Historic Tax Credits brochure will be located outside the
Planning and Inspections Window at City Hall.
c. Agenda Items for Next Meeting
WHS CLG Grant Application, Oshkosh Herald articles. South Side, Mid-
Century Neighborhood Photos, Oshkosh Great Fire Historic Plaque
9) Adjournment
Ms. Stichert motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Cummings seconded. The
meeting adjourned at 4:30.