Historic Commission News
Our minutes are posted to the City's web site shortly after each meeting. Check for the latest Agenda/Minutes here.
December 2010
Brown County Courthouse 100 Year Anniversary
Read the Green Bay Press-Gazette article on the 100 Year Anniversary of the Brown County Courthouse. Article>>
November 2010
The West Side loses another historic building dating back to Fort Howard
A raging fire destroyed one of the West Side’s oldest commercial buildings on November 5th. Known historically as the “Music Hall,” this large brick building was built in 1882 according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Gail Ives’ 2003 book, Green Bay's West Side: The Fort Howard Neighborhood , noted that the upper floors were used as a meeting place, with commercial enterprises occupying the first floors. It likely would have been a prominent meeting place for the community of Fort Howard in the late 19th Century. Most recently, the upper floors housed apartments, with a liquor store in the rear addition. It is believed the intensity of the flames was fueled by the contents of the liquor store. The fire damaged remains were partially demolished the following day ending any speculation the building could have been restored. In one bright spot, thankfully there was no loss of life.
For more information, see:
Press-Gazette Article 1
Press-Gazette Article 2
On Broadway Seeks to Salvage Building Material
On Broadway Inc. is taking the initiative to seek salvaging of original material from the Music Hall that burned last week. On Broadway shares the same parking lot as the building that burned earlier this month, and hopes to save as much brick as possible for future projects. This is an excellent example of what can be done after the loss of an historic building.
August 2010
“NeighborWorks would consider razing old Green Bay armory that has not generated redevelopment interest”
An armory building at 815 Chicago St—which is purported to be from the early 1900s—may be demolished. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the building has essentially been vacant since WWII. Additional research is required to identify the historic significance of this site, as it is currently not listed with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
For the original article, see:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100729/GPG0101/7290530/NeighborWorks-would-consider-demolition-of-former-armory-building-that-has-not-generated-redevelopment-interest
Save the Historic Bishop's Chancery in Allouez, Wisconsin
An historic building in the Green Bay area is scheduled for demolition, which has caused grassroots efforts to save the structure. The “Bishop’s House” is a massive red brick structure built in 1911 in the neoclassical style. The Wisconsin Historical Society lists it as Record #1170, the “Bishop Joseph Fox Residence.”
For more information on the organization aimed at saving the building, see:
http://www.savethechancery.com/
143 Year-old home set to be demolished
The Xavier Martin home, located at 728 Crooks Street, which was featured in the HPC September 2009 “Historic Spotlight,” is scheduled to be demolished. A “Notice and Order to Raze or Repair” was issued by the city in May due to severe neglect of the property, including mold and water damage. Efforts to save the home through private interests have been unsuccessful. Built in c1867, this Greek Revival building still retains the original staircase, molding, and doors, and sits prominently at the corner of Crooks & Jackson streets. The home will likely be razed this summer.
For more information, see the Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission:
http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/