Bay View’s White House tavern deemed historic

A proposal to designate a wellknown Bay View tavern as historic — which could affect planned exterior renovations — has received preliminary city approval.

The two-story former White House tavern, 2900 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., was granted interim historic status Monday by the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission.

The 180-day interim period can be used as an emergency measure to stop work, giving the commission time to consider permanent designation.

Owners of historic properties must get commission approval for exterior changes, such as adding new windows, siding or roof vents.

Building owners can appeal commission rulings, including permanent historic designations, to the Common Council. The council can overturn a

commission decision majority vote.

A hearing on the building’s permanent designation must be scheduled within the next six months.

The building, constructed in 1890 as a Schlitz tavern, was sold in January for $400,000 to Franklin-based HCI Properties LLC after the White House closed.

HCI Properties is seeking a restaurant tenant. Those plans could include a new outdoor deck and other exterior changes, which would need commission approval if the property has historic status.

The building is deserving of historic status in part because it serves as a “visual landmark” for Bay View, said Carlen Hatala, a city historic preservation planner.

She cited its signature turrets and dormers, and its location at a bend along S. Kinnickinnic Ave., the main road through Bay View.

The building has long served as a

with a threefourths popular gathering spot on election nights and is a good example of Queen Anne-style architecture, Hatala said.

David Griffith, an HCI Properties coowner, told commission members he opposed the designation.

Griffith noted that the building has had significant changes in recent years, including vinyl siding and aluminum trim.

He also said HCI hasn’t yet landed a restaurant tenant and hasn’t created specific plans for the building.

Ald. Tony Zielinski initially applied for historic designation for the building after hearing HCI Properties had started working on the property. The firm has been removing trash from the building.

Zielinski, whose district includes Bay View, later withdrew his request, Hatala said.

Bay View resident John Ebersol then filed an application for interim historic designation.

“It is a very historic structure within this community,” Ebersol, past president of the Bay View Historical Society, told commission members.