City of Milwaukee - File #: 250496

• File #: 250496
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 7/7/2025
• In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Title: Substitute resolution granting Permanent Historic Designation to the West Avenues West Historic District on blocks bound by W. Wisconsin Avenue to W. State Street and N. 22nd Street to N. 27th Street, in the 4th Aldermanic District.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
8/4/2025	0	HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION	Minutes note: Mr. Andrew Stern said it's a large district and he will touch on some of the properties which includes 114 parcels ranging from residential to commercial encompassing a variety of architectural styles, with Queen Anne being the most common. The architects also range widely and include a who's who of early architects. The area was platted in 1835 and much of the land belonged to Sila Hawley and the land sold quickly in 1849 due to major roads going into the area. By the 1940s many of the mansions were being converted into rooming houses although some still remained. By 1910 the vast majority of the parcels had been constructed on to meet increasing population needs. Mr. Stern highlighted some of the more large and historic houses in the proposed district in the various architectural styles. Staff recommends permanent designation based on f-3. f-5 and f-6. Ms. Peltz moved, seconded by Mr. Jarosz, to open the public hearing. Bob Conklin - 819 N. 23rd St. - been there 40 years and owns 4 buildings - opposes the designation as they think it's working well with the way it is. Dolly Markowski - Professional Buildings Collegiate - opposes the designation - have rooming houses with registered sex offenders. They feel this will be a burden to their nonprofit that is providing low-income housing. Atty. Samantha Baker - on behalf of a vacant-lot owner who is opposed who feels the proposed district is too expansive. Individual houses should be designated rather than creating an entire district. The vacant lot was formerly a gas station and is currently fenced in. John Anderson - 855 N. 25th St. opposed - his property was built after WW II and has no historic value. The property is currently low-income housing. He fears the designation will increase his insurance costs. He also supports designation of individual properties rather than the entire area. Mr. Jarosz asked about making the district lines cleaner (less jagging in and out) and how non-contributing buildings are handled. Jim Dieter - nominator - lives in the neighborhood. Gave members handouts relating to proposed districts. Mr. Mr. Jarosz moved, seconded by Ms. Peltz, to make the handouts part of the record. The Cedar Heights handout already is in the file. Toni Upham - lives on Kilbourn Ave. - 2452-54 W. Kilbourn Ave. - also concerned about those whose homes are not historical. Her house was built in 1894, but has no historical features. She is opposed as it will increase her insurance costs and she wants her home to be a regular home. She doesn't think it will benefit the area, but will hurt the homeowners. She has lived there 20 years. Anna Hodges (here for her sister, Catalina Spears) - 836 N. 24th St. - she restored the house, which was a former rooming house. She does not have the money to meet historic guidelines. She has lived there for 27 years. She fears it would be difficult to sell based upon the designation. Debra A. Gonzalez - 820 N. 24th St. - lived in the neighborhood 47 years. The neighborhood has gunfire almost every night and prostitution. Taxes have gone up so high that she may be forced out. This will force the good people out of this area; the neighborhood has gotten worse in the past 5 years. The owners of the apartment builders need to do something. Stanley Grossman - 744-46 N. 26th St. - he has lived there since 1968. Guns and prositutes are everywhere and the neighborhood isn't safe. Five companies refused to work in this area to put in a new garage door. A vacant lot behind their house is a problem with overgrown grass and dumped trash. The area is getting worse over time. They are opposed. Marty Hagadorn - 745 N. 25th St. - just purchased the property - he thinks the area has a lot of potential. He is opposed because it will strangle out long-term homeowners and good renters that may have to pay more. Ms. Peltz moved, seconded by Mr. Jarosz, to close the public hearing. Ald. Bauman passed the gavel to Mr. Jarosz since the Vice-Chair was no longer present virtually. The district boundary lines can be moved, but there cannot be open holes within the district, per HPC staff.
7/7/2025	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
250496
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Substitute resolution granting Permanent Historic Designation to the West Avenues West Historic District on blocks bound by W. Wisconsin Avenue to W. State Street and N. 22nd Street to N. 27th Street, in the 4th Aldermanic District.
...Analysis
This resolution grants permanent historic designation to the West Avenues West Historic District on blocks bound by W. Wisconsin Avenue to W. State Street and N. 22nd Street to N. 27th Street, in the 4th Aldermanic District.
...Body
Whereas, The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Ordinance, s. 320-21 of the Code of Ordinances, provides that historic sites, structures and districts may be designated by the Common Council upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission; and

Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission, at its August 4th, 2025 meeting, by a vote of six (6) ayes and one (1) excused recommended historic designation of the West Avenues West Historic District on blocks bound by W. Wisconsin Avenue to W. State Street and N. 22nd Street to N. 27th Street; and

Whereas, This district fulfills the following criterion set forth in s. 320-21-3:

f-3. Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the city.

f-5. Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.

f-6. Its identification as the work of an artist, architect, craftsman or master builder who individual works have influenced the development of the city.

; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the West Avenues West Historic District on blocks bound by W. Wisconsin Avenue to W. State Street and N. 22nd Street to N. 27th Street, further described as:


819 N. 23rd St. 3890008000 ASSESSMENT SUBD NO 3 IN NW 1/4 SEC 30-7-22 LOT 7 BID #10

813 N. 23rd St. 3890009000 ASSESSMENT SUBD NO 3 IN NW 1/4 SEC 30-7-22 N 50' LOT 8 BID...