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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10- Annual Report ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2015-JUNE 2016 OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Schreiber House Relocation Algoma Boulevard Historic District 2 LANDMARKS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP Vicky Redlin, Chairperson Dennis Paul Arnold, Vice-Chairperson Steve Cummings, Council Rep. Shirley Brabender Mattox Harold E. Buchholz Sharon Kipetz Angela Allen Staff Liaison -David Buck and Alexa Naudziunas 2015-2016 COMMISSION GOALS Web Site – Update and redevelop the Landmarks Commission website presence from “top to bottom” updating information and adding new educational and tourist element. Marketing Efforts – Continue to work with other historic focused groups & community agencies for joint marketing efforts regarding historic tax credits, historical tours, bro- chures, historical education and the possibility of hosting a future state historical commis- sion conference. Review Historic Preservation Code – Review and potentially update the Historic Preser- vation Code with the Oshkosh Zoning Ordinances. Inventorying our existing historic districts - Conduct research on properties within the existing historic districts such as photos, street evaluations, etc. to determine their health and condition so as to focus preservation and education efforts. Designate Historic Districts - Engage consultant to perform work related to the Neoclas- sical Historic District on Washington Street and investigate a possible residential district on Bay Shore Drive. Education and Outreach Programming - Develop materials to promote commission pro- grams for distribution to the public and area businesses as well as presentation by commis- sion members to present to local community organizations and other outreach venues. Continue to Promote the Historic Plaque and Marker Programs – Reach out to historic property owners and area agencies for financing of community historic markers and indi- vidual building plaques. Local Landmarking – Identify properties that are eligible and desirable to locally landmark and contact owners. Research and Award the Acanthus Award– Take nominations, perform historic research and grant historic preservation awards for historic preservation efforts. MISSION STATEMENT The Landmarks Commission is charged with fostering the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of his- toric improvements and of districts which represent or reflect elements of the City’s cultural, social, econom- ic, political and architectural history, safeguard and fostering civic pride in the City’s historic and cultural heritage as embodied in landmarks and historic dis- tricts.—must be review and rewritten 3 WORK ON A NEOCLASSICAL HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR DESIGNATION ON THE NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTERS OF HISTORIC PLACES The Landmarks Commission continued work on the creation of a new historic district, which would be the 9th historic district within the City of Oshkosh, including Riverside Cemetery. The Commission made final determination on the recommended district, which includes six buildings, along both sides of Washington Avenue including the Mason Center, Wisconsin National Life Insurance Building, the Oshkosh Public Library, Fraternal Reserve Association, Goettmann Printing and the U.S. Post Office. Funding for the work was secured in the form of a Wiscon- sin Historical Society 2015 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Certified Local Government (CLG) Subgrant Award in the amount of $5,000. Requests for proposals were issued to qualified consultants and proposals reviewed. Consultant work associated with the project will be conducted during the 2015-2016 operating year with formal review of the nomination to take place by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the National Park Service the end of 2016. Legacy Architecture Roland Davidson. Add the Fraternal Re- serve– nomination BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW PROGRAM The commission continues to review incoming building permits that pertain to historic structures or historic districts with 177 reviewed in this report period. This process helps the Commission understand the types of projects that are going on and their impact to historic structures and to keep tabs on scheduled demolition projects. Addi- tionally, this process provides a vehicle for historical preservation tax credit information to be disseminated to those obtaining building PUBLIC OUTREACH & LANDMARKS WEBSITE UPDATE The Landmarks Commission goal to reach out to the community resulted in the following projects: City Manager’s State of the City Address—provided information on the Commissions work to preserve Oshkosh’s his- toric resources and inform residents about historic tax credits. Public Library Speaker Series on Historic Oshkosh—presented an overview of the architecture and stories of Oshkosh's historic districts. Photographic overview of stories Oshkosh Today Video—described the efforts to preserve historic properties of all four Acanthus Awardees. Historic Property Owner Mailing—sent 350 mailings to historic property owners which included three brochures with information on historic districts, historic tax credits and historic property information in February 2016 Website Update— Improved access to information about Landmarks Commission activities, historic preservation, and links to local and statewide resources. 4 LOCAL LANDMARK Second Local Landmark in Oshkosh: HP Schmidt Milling Company 1183-1982; Granary Restaurant 1984-2004: Ele- ment Nightclub 2004-2007 toured property to determine the eligibility for local landmark status. It would be eligible to use historic building codes to maintain historic features and materials . Retain the stone walls and original massive wood beams HISTORIC PLAQUE PROGRAM The commission continued to promote the historic plaque program to homeowners and businesses. The Commission conducted research and reviewed applications for plaques based on designated criteria as well as facilitated purchase of approved plaques for designated buildings. The historic plaque program has has seen an increase in applications in the last few years. In this past year there have been 17 new property owners that have added plaques to the exterior of their building. 5 OTHER AGENCY COORDINATION & ASSISTANCE Coordination and assistance to other agencies and community groups is an important aspect of the commissions functions. To that end, the commission worked with the River East Neighborhood Association on the design plan for William Waters Plaza including stakeholders meetings, open house and hope to continue in the implementation phase. Landmarks Commission members also assisted the Miller’s Bay Neighborhood Association in the drafting of their Neighborhood Plan by compiling historic information about their area. The commission reviewed East Central WI Regional Planning Long Range Plan specifically addressing cultural and historic resources, responded to impacts of the DOT’s Main Street Reconstruction project, was involved with support for WEDC Investment Grant applications, and spearheaded Council Resolutions opposing changes to the Historic Tax Credit changes proposed in the state budget. REVIEWED WORK PROPOSED TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES The commission reviewed and provided input to property owners, the State Historical Society, Plan Commission and Common Council for work proposed to historic buildings including the New Moon Café/ Beckwith House (401 North Main) that included window replacement and exterior venting; Fraternal Reserve Association Building (105 Washington) for rede- velopment of the structure into a multiple family residential use; and at the Varsity Club/ Gibson Auto Exchange Building (570 North Main) regarding full first floor Main Street façade recrea- tion. HP Schmidt Mill- ing Company 1183-1982; Granary Restaurant 1984-2004: Element Night- club 2004-2007 toured property to determine the eligibility for local land- mark status. It would be eligible to use historic building codes to main- tain historic features and materials SCHRIBER HOUSE MOVE ASSISTANCE Following the approval of a Planned Development for the creation of a parking lot at the Paine Art Center and Gardens, the commission has worked with the Paine and the City regarding the historic Schriber houses marketing and hopeful relocation. Activities included discussions with the Public Museum on utilizing the structure, assisting with marketing the property, coordinating conversations with the Wisconsin Historical Society on potentially shifting the Algoma Boulevard Historic District boundaries or individually listing it, and discuss- ing the potential ability to utilize historic tax credits. Update on new location 6 ACANTHUS AWARDS Presented Acanthus Awards for contributions to historic preservation in Oshkosh including: The Kohlmann’s Block—17 Waugoo Avenue Restoration of the transom windows located above the store- front. Frank Percey Fur & Gun—531 North Main Street Retaining and re- storing the historic building’s original interior and exterior as well as facilitat- ing its reuse, which has given new life and a modern pur- pose to the historic structure located in Raulf Hotel—522-530 North Main Street Retaining and restoring the exterior architectural ele- ments and preserving the integri- ty of this historic structure locat- ed in the National Register North Main Street Historic District. Charles Wood House—1540 Algoma Boule- vard Appropriate mainte- nance efforts and com- plete painting of their residence located in the National Register Al- goma Boulevard Histor- ic District that helps protect Oshkosh’s histo- ry and cultural re- sources HISTORIC/HERITAGE TOURISM PROJECT The Landmarks Commission collaborated with the City of Oshkosh, Oshkosh Convention & Visi- tors Bureau, Public Library, Public Museum, Downtown BID, Winnebago County Historical Soci- ety and individual downtown property owners to design a Historic/Heritage Tourism project. The website includes an inventory of historic properties and sites with accompanying narrative. It con- tains a searchable database of historic assets in the central city, a brand identity, and individual tour materials. These entities will continue to expand the scope of this program in future years. Find more information at: historicoshkosh.org