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| | 1. | | Call to order.
Minutes note: Meeting called to order at 5:50 pm. | | | |
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| | 3. | | Introductory and welcoming remarks.
Minutes note: Also in attendance was Ald. Milele Coggs, 6th aldermanic district.
Ald. Coggs and chair Vernon gave introductory remarks. The Bronzeville Advisory Committee was created to provide additional review of redevelopment within the Bronzeville District representing the community and stakeholders. The committee wanted to include and obtain the community's input on the historic designation of the Central City Plaza district. | | | |
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| | 4. | | Central City Plaza Historic District permanent historic designation between W. Walnut St. and W. Vine St. and N. 6th St. and N. 7th St.
Minutes note: a. Presentation
Tim Askin, Historic Preservation Commission, presented. The plaza represents the work of the first Wisconsin Black licensed architect Alonzo Robinson and had brought in about 15 Black businesses into the community to bring vitality back to Walnut St. and to the Black community.
Major Rachel Stouder and Clinton Selle, The Salvation Army, gave a presentation. They have owned the former lodge building for 40 years and operate an emergency shelter there. They own both of the buildings on the northern part of the plaza. They are no longer seeking to demolish any buildings. They have made modifications to their project to expand their operations and will incorporate and additional 14,000 to 16,000 sq. ft. structure in between connecting both buildings that they own as well as adding a new parking lot south of the addition and installing a playground within the existing courtyard. They want to have fencing around the perimeter. A glassy corridor will be added onto the east smaller building, which will serve as a main entrance. The additional building will have a cafeteria on the first floor and various rooms on the second floor for various purposes. The addition will have taller floors in order to house required mechanicals.
b. Public comments
Providing public testimony in support:
Kim Robinson, Sr., son of architect Alonzo Robinson
LaKeidra Madison, resident
Randy Bryant, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Joselia Mendiolea, Milwaukee Preservation Alliance
Clayborn Benson, Wisconsin Black Historical Society
Shirley Warren, resident
Seth Ter Haar, resident & Docomomo US
Rita Webb, resident
There were two other residents testifying in support.
Those who testified were in support of the historic designation and the reconfigured redaptive reuse development project of Salvation Army, as presented. They spoke to the many works of Alonzo Robinson within the City; the significance of preserving the work of Alonzo Robinson and history of the Black community; the origin, leadership, and history of the plaza and businesses there; lived experiences of the positive impact, employment, and vitality that was brought to the community at the plaza; the type of important businesses that was a part of the plaza; and activities that took place at the plaza. They spoke to the importance of having accountability to maintain the buildings, installing an exhibit to honor the plaza's historical significance, installing greenspace, and creating an advisory committee to preserve the history of the plaza there.
Members concurred and also shared their personal stories and recollection of the plaza and its positive impact to the community.
Members said that there was opportunity for Salvation Army to collaborate with existing institutions on their project, the Bronzeville district boundaries was expanded to include Walnut St. and the plaza, they were pleased to see the adjustments made to the project in consideration of the input received from the committee and community, and that stories of the plaza should be shared to the Historic King Drive BID.
Major Stouder said that they will add greenspace to their courtyard, they want to install an exhibit on the outside to honor the plaza's historical significance, and that they will need help from the community to create the exhibit.
Ald. Coggs thanked Historic Preservation Commission staff for informing her about the historic significance of the plaza and threat of demolition. She said that she had learned much about the plaza's historic significance since then and can be of any assistance to the Salvation Army regarding an exhibit and advisory committee.
c. Recommendation
Member Boynes moved approval, seconded by member Moore, Sr., of the permanent historic designation of the Central City Plaza Historic District. There was no objection.
Ald. Coggs and Chair Vernon thanked everyone in attendance. | | | |
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| | 5. | | Adjournment.
Minutes note: Meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Chris Lee, Staff Assistant
Council Records Section
City Clerk's Office | | | |
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