La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting – April 21, 2026

On the supplied meeting date of April 21, 2026, the La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission met to consider local landmark nominations, National Register review-and-comment items, and a historic certificate initiative. The raw transcript opens as “Thursday, February 26th at 6.01 p.m.,” which conflicts with the supplied date; this summary uses the supplied meeting date and notes the discrepancy. All commissioners were present in person except Natalie Hennigan, who was excused.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the January 29, 2026 special meeting minutes.
• Roll call was completed; no other routine consent items were listed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Professional Arts Building public hearing: Mark Zettler, a West Salem resident representing the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse (PAL), spoke in support of the local landmark nomination. He said the nomination originated after PAL could not stop demolition of St. Anne’s and argued the building qualifies under two criteria: association with significant events/persons in La Crosse’s history and representation of the notable work of a master builder/designer. He described the early-1940s concrete-frame building designed by Parkinson & Dockendorf, noted its high degree of historic integrity, and mentioned original blueprints, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a nursing-student ice cream and candy room.
• Chris Hossey, chief administrative officer for Mayo Clinic Health System, opposed the designation, saying Mayo has cared for the building and fears designation could hinder patient-safety improvements, entrance vestibules, window replacements, and energy-efficiency work.
• Tanner Holst, a Mayo administrator and Town of Greenfield resident, opposed designation, citing potential limits on exterior entrance and patient-movement projects and possible cost increases.
• Tim Boskirk, speaking remotely for Mayo, opposed designation and said Mayo has its own history of preserving historic buildings; he worried slower approvals could harm the building.
• Matt Trudewell, Mayo vice chair of administration, opposed designation, emphasizing the need for safe, weather-protected, accessible entrances close to clinics.
• Jennifer Livingston Thompson, Mayo director of community engagement and La Crosse resident, opposed designation, arguing preservation is achieved through responsible ongoing use and adaptation, not designation alone.
• Barbara Coyman, a former longtime commission member and PAL board member, supported the nomination and urged the commission to decide based on ordinance criteria, not potential future use. She said designation “puts a little bit of the brakes on just wanton demolition.”
• Two attendees, Travis and Samuel, were present in support of the nomination but did not speak.
• Emerson Elementary School comments: Dr. Aaron Engel, superintendent of the School District of La Crosse, spoke in opposition to the Emerson nomination. He argued the orthopedic program was common rather than unique, noting it was one of 11 orthopedic schools built across the state of Wisconsin; the Emerson site was not the first location, because the program began at the Washburn School. He said the building no longer displays the features that made it special, the 1955 second-story addition eliminated the one-story design, and association with the Public Works Administration is insufficient. He also raised concerns about the nomination process, 40-day notices, and limits on future redevelopment options.

Discussion Items

• Local landmark nomination: Professional Arts Building, Mayo Campus/St. Francis School of Nursing (26-0063): The public hearing was opened and closed by unanimous consent under the commission’s three-minute speaker limit. Staff explained that exterior alterations requiring building permits would generally require a certificate of appropriateness, some like-for-like replacements could be approved administratively, and decisions can be appealed to the city council. Commissioners in favor said designation would add time but not prevent Mayo’s plans, that preservation keeps buildings usable, and that retrofits and re-applications are possible. The chair noted Mayo’s investment and the strength of the building, acknowledged the owner’s perspective, but said he could not oppose the nomination based on its merits. A motion to approve the nomination, made by John Ryman and seconded by Ellie McLoon, passed unanimously.
• Local landmark nomination: Emerson Elementary School/Hillview Orthopedic School (26-0222): Mark Zettler presented the case for designation, describing the school as an early special-education facility serving students from La Crosse and nine counties, partially funded by the Works Progress Administration, with features 50 years ahead of the Americans with Disabilities Act; a second floor was added in 1955 during the baby boom. Dr. Engel answered commissioner questions, saying the interior is safe and maintained but outdated, and the district has not yet decided the building’s future after students move to the new Hogan site. He cited the Lincoln Middle School experience, where eight interested parties narrowed to one bid after historic designation, as a reason designation could limit options. A commissioner noted that the nationwide-trend argument could support the broad-history criterion; Dr. Engel replied that one of many similar buildings and the loss of the special features did not rise to that level. A motion to approve was made by Jim Gallagher and seconded by Laura Gottden, but after discussion Ellie McLoon moved to refer the nomination for 30 days so the commission could tour the building, and Eric Garland seconded. The referral passed unanimously; no final approval/denial vote was taken. The transcript says the item would return on March 26, a date that is difficult to reconcile with the supplied April 21, 2026 meeting date.
• National Register of Historic Places nominations – review and comment: Staff explained that the commission was not asked to approve or deny National Register listings, but to comment to the State Historic Preservation Office; the nominations were prepared with property-owner approval by a Milwaukee consulting firm. A National Register listing is honorary, carries no local review jurisdiction, and can make a property eligible for state historic tax credits, which would require meeting Secretary of Interior standards for rehabilitation.
  • Former Fire Station #4, 906 Gillette Street: Staff noted the building was purchased by a retired firefighter who planned a duplex for himself and rental housing for new firefighters. A motion to support the nomination and direct staff to send a letter, made by Laura and seconded by John, passed unanimously.
  • La Crosse City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street: Staff called City Hall an example of Brutalist architecture with a prominent history. A commissioner acknowledged its looks are unpopular but said it meets the criteria, and another noted the postcard view toward the bluffs. The motion to support the nomination and send a letter passed unanimously.
  • HSR Building, 100 Milwaukee Street: Staff described it as an obscure building built into the ground, with an enthusiastic property owner. A motion to support the nomination and send a letter, made by Ellie and seconded by Jim Gallagher, passed unanimously.
  • Congregation Sons of Abraham, 1820 Main Street: Staff said the congregation was initially cautious but ultimately supported the nomination of its unique building. A commissioner who is a congregation member described the synagogue’s vulnerability, police monitoring, and the significance of the board and membership agreeing to be publicly recognized. A motion to approve the nomination and send a letter passed unanimously.
• Historic Certificate Initiative: Commissioner John presented a voluntary recognition proposal for property owners, possibly using a letter, certificate, sign, or a combination. The commission discussed keeping it simple and low-cost and refining the wording. No formal action was taken; written feedback was to be routed to John, with a revised version expected at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved the January 29, 2026 special meeting minutes.
• Unanimously approved the local landmark nomination for the Professional Arts Building/St. Francis School of Nursing (26-0063).
• Unanimously referred the Emerson Elementary/Hillview Orthopedic School nomination (26-0222) for 30 days to allow a commission tour; no final designation vote was taken.
• Unanimously voted to support and submit comment letters for the National Register nominations of Former Fire Station #4, La Crosse City Hall, the HSR Building, and Congregation Sons of Abraham.
• Discussed but took no action on the historic certificate initiative; revisions are to be prepared for a future meeting.