| 8/8/2017 | 0 |
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
| ADOPTED
Minutes note: Ms. Carlen Hatala said the temporary historic designation came as a response to a demolition permit taken out by the owner. Ms. Hatala said Paul Weise was born in 1863 in Germany and he came to the United States in 1882. In 1886 he opened his own business and listed himself as an upholsterer. He and his wife had no children. Farwell Ave. had both large houses, small cottages and unique businesses that catered to the nearby carriage industry. Mr. Weise's half-brother, Carl Waldemar Weise, was formally taken into the corporation. The original building went through various expansions. In 1929, Paul retired and Carl became president and Paul and his wife moved to Florida in 1933. In 1978 the business was sold to Steven Stein.
The business was more of a craft shop and did upholstery and made expensive furniture. The building has ornamental grills on the basement windows, leaded glass transoms and sidelights and was designed by Alexander Eschweiler with the plan to have additions added on to blend in seamlessly to the existing building.
Staff recommends temporary designation based on s. 320-21-3-e-1 and e-6.
Ald. Bauman moved, seconded by Ms. Keating Kahn, to open the public hearing. There were no objections.
Supporters:
Joe Fuchs - Eschweiler was an important architect and this show the quality of his work
Dawn McCarthy - Milwaukee Preservation Alliance - Mr. Zanghi submitted the application on the Alliance's behalf.
Gail Fitch supports, but doesn't wish to speak.
Opposed:
Paul Carl Weise, Jr. - Big Cedar Lake - commercial real estate developer - designation was denied by the Wisconsin Historic designation, so they can't get tax credits. He's not necessarily opposed to the designation. He renovated the Wisconsin Gas building. They would like to retain the Eschweiler facades (west and south), but not the facades that are blank walls and not designed by Eschweiler. The guidelines in the Study Report are too strict.
Steven Stein - building owner - the building has a lot of issues and he has talked with Mr. Weise about retaining the two unique facades. He also sees the Study Report restrictions as being to severe.
David Drews - Zimmerman Architectural - he had some disagreements with the history of the Study Report.
Ald. Nik Kovac - he wants to work with the owner and their vision. He thinks the designation should be made and he would push at the state for any financial tools they could get.
Ald. Bauman moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Ms. Keating Kahn. There were no objections.
Mr. Jarosz said that the east and north side and the parking lot are not historic.
Ald. Bauman moved, seconded by Ms. Keating Kahn, for designation. There were no objections.
| Pass | 4:0 |
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