Historic district endorsed for downtown block
A well-known block on downtown’s east side would be a historic district under a newly endorsed proposal — over the objections of the block’s largest property owner.
The district would be on the west side of North Jefferson Street, between East Mason and East Wells streets.
It features six buildings dating from the 1850s through 1925. They include the former George Watts & Son china shop and tea room, a furniture store, spa and night clubs.
The Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee endorsed the proposed district on a 4-0 vote, with Ald. Milele Coggs abstaining.
Any exterior work to those buildings, ranging from new signs to demolition, would need Historic Preservation Commission approval if the council and Mayor Tom Barrett agree that the district should be created.
The block was included in the East Side Commercial National Register Historic District that was created in 1986. But that national register listing doesn’t provide protection against buildings being extensively remodeled or demolished.
The historic district is opposed by Seven51 LLC, an investors group that owns the former George Watts & Son building, 759 N. Jefferson St.
Constructed in 1925, the Italian Renaissance design features two-tone terra cotta. It was sold a year ago to Seven51 LLC, an affiliate of Continuum Architects and Planners, which moved its offices there. The building also houses a Kesslers Diamonds.
Brian Randall, Seven51’s attorney, told committee members that most of the block’s buildings have been substantially changed — undercutting their historic integrity.
Also, Bob Barr, a Continuum principal, said the district would make it more expensive and difficult to renovate buildings to accommodate new tenants.
The block has several vacancies, including in the street level of Continuum’s building, he said.
“If we can’t find tenants, we are in big trouble,” Barr said.
Owners of two other buildings made similar arguments.
Their property rights should outweigh the need for a proposed historic district designation, Randall said.
Ald. Robert Bauman, whose aldermanic district includes downtown, said he nominated the block as a historic district after learning about a proposal to add garage doors at one of the buildings for a tavern.
Bauman said without historic designation the block’s buildings would be vulnerable to other major exterior changes, including demolition.