UWM’s plans to demolish former hospital could hit roadblock
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s plans to demolish a century-old building that was once part of Columbia Hospital could be hitting a roadblock.
Petitions seeking both temporary and permanent historic designation for the building, 3321 N. Maryland Ave., have been filed with the city Historic Preservation Commission.
If granted by city officials, historic designation would require UWM to obtain commission approval for any exterior work — including demolition.
Plans to raze the building, constructed in 1919, were first reported by the Journal Sentinel in January 2020.
University officials said then that redeveloping the building would be too costly. Demolishing the building would create green space and a potential future development site for the university.
UWM bought the former hospital complex in 2010 for $20.2 million. But it has lacked additional funding to redevelop most of the six-building complex, which includes much newer structures.
A photo, submitted recently to city preservation officials, indicates plans to demolish the older building are now proceeding.
The photo, taken Feb. 2, shows a sign posted at the building saying it is shut down for demolition, with “new green space coming soon.”
Meanwhile, Milwaukee resident Catherine Miller filed the designation petitions, which include the photo.
Miller declined to talk about the petitions, other than to say she believes there’s an imminent threat to the building.
Tim Askin and Carlen Hatala, the city’s historic preservation planners, told the Journal Sentinel Wednesday they’ve not yet received answers to their inquiries sent to university and state officials.
Those demolition plans were moving forward but are being paused in light of the designation petitions being filed, said Michelle Johnson, UWM senior director of integrated marketing and communications.
Officials from UWM, UW System and state Department of Administration are reviewing the petitions, Johnson said.
Temporary designation, which lasts up to 180 days, postpones demolition plans while the Historic Preservation Commission considers permanent designation.