City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes - Final

Heritage Preservation Commission

Thursday, May 25, 2023

6:00 PM

Council Chambers- Grandad Room 400 La Crosse St

Members of the public may participate in the meeting in the following ways:

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Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm.

Roll Call

6 -

Present:

David Riel, Laura Godden, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan, Greg

Clark,Eric Garland

1 - John J. Satory

Excused:

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the April 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes.

Laura Godden moved to approve. Greg Clark seconded.

Eric Garland requested the following corrections

Eric abstained on vote for the approval of the minutes. Vote should be 5-0

Minutes should state that Eric Garland and Laura Godden are working on the

schools article, Laura Godden and David Riel are working on the Glory Days

article and that Mackenzie Mindel and Natalie Heneghan are working on the

article intro.

Eric Garland moved to approve with the requested corrections. Laura Godden

seconded. The motion passed 6-0 by voice vote.

Notices and Discussions

Greg Clark stated that the Preservation Alliance will be scraping and painting

the buildings next to Hixon House on June 3rd and 4th.

Agenda Items:

Nomination of Abraham Lincoln Junior High School (Lincoln Middle School),

located at 510 9th Street S, to designated as a Local Historic Landmark.

(Main/Original Building)

23-0618

Mackenzie Mindel stated the designation process to the Commissioners and

members of the public.

Staff stated that the property was nominated for its style of architecture and for

the architect of the building. Staff also stated that they felt it was a complete

nomination.

David Riel moved to open a public hearing. Laura Godden. The motion passed

6-0 by voice vote.

Chris Woodard, with the Washburn Neighborhood, stated that it was an

important building to save for the city and the neighborhood and still has life

left. Natalie Heneghan stated that she felt that it is an important building but

asked why the additions was not included. Chris stated that they felt it was less

significant and didn't want to potentially create more roadblocks for the sites

redevelopment. Natalie Heneghan stated that generally there is a period of

significance that assists with design regulation. Depending on what period is

considered significant would pertain to what components, including additions,

are preserved. Greg Clark asked if there were meetings held on the desired

future. Chris stated that there have been a few meetings with the

neighborhood. Eric Garland asked if the designation is for the main building

only can the rest of the additions be torn down. Staff stated that they could,

review would be limited to the impact the removal of the additions would have

on the designated building.

Natalie moved to close the public hearing. David Riel seconded. The motion

passed 6-0 by voice vote.

Greg Clark asked if there were other properties designated by Otto Merman.

Staff stated that there are many buildings, mostly houses, in La Crosse. Many

are located in historic districts, there are some that are locally designated.

David Riel asked why it wasn't considered for being significant to the social

history of La Crosse. Staff stated that it likely could be considered under that

criteria but he nomination as written did not support it.

Natalie Heneghan stated that she felt it was a complete nomination but that

social history is significant. Laura Godden agreed that it could fall under this

category but more research would be needed.

Mackenzie Mindel stated that she was excited to read the nomination and that

the applicant did a great job. It is important to preserve the work of Otto

merman and recognize a great building.

David Riel thanked the nominator for their work. CM Tamra Dickinson asked if

the auditorium was part of the nomination. Staff stated that the auditorium was

located in the main building which is the portion being considered for

designation.

Laura Godden moved to approve the nomination and hold a public hearing at

the June meeting. Eric Garland seconded. The motion passed 6-0 by voice

vote..

2023 Most Endangered Buildings List/Project.

23-0483

Mackenzie Mindel provided an update on the project. Was working with the La

Crosse Tribune and Kristin Lueth the City's Communication Coordinator to

coordinate publishing the articles and the press conference. The La Crosse

Tribune ended up publishing all of the articles today. Still need to coordinate a

date for the press conference. May 31st is a suggested date at 2-2:30pm. Greg

Clark asked what were the three things the Commission wants to get across to

the public? Mackenzie Mindel stated that they wanted to state what was

removed and why, what was added and why, what remains and why, and

provide education on why preservation is important . This effort is really an

awareness campaign. David Riel added that it is intended to convey why

historic preservation matters and why its useful in the future, He thanked

everyone for their work. Mackenzie Mindel stated that she will coordinate with

School District on holding the press conference in front of Lincoln Middle

School. Greg Clark suggested that maybe the press conference be held in front

of building coming off of the list.

David Riel stated that holding in front of a threatened building does get

people's attention though he does understand Greg's point of view. Mackenzie

Mindel hopes this effort hopes this will help engage the community on its

future.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:52pm.

Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the

above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have

decision-making responsibility.

NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

Requests from persons with a disability who need assistance to participate in this meeting

should call the City Clerk's office at (608) 789-7510 or send an email to

ADAcityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org, with as much advance notice as possible.

Heritage Preservation Commission Members

CM Mackenzie Mindel, David Riel, Laura Godden, John Satory, Greg Clark, Natalie Heneghan,

Eric

Garland