Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - May 4, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission of Milwaukee met on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 3:02 PM in City Hall Room 301-B. The meeting was chaired by Jordan Morales and all seven commissioners were present. The commission considered seven Certificates of Appropriateness, reviewed a National Register nomination for the Mitchell Park Domes, and voted on the Cream of the Cream City awards. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–7 (Staff-Approved COAs): Approved unanimously (7-0). Included:
  • Exterior signage at 1119 W Historic Mitchell St (Mitchell Street Historic District).
  • Wooden fence at 2607 N Grant Blvd (Grant Boulevard Historic District).
  • Partial roof replacement at 3003 N Sherman Blvd (Sherman Boulevard Historic District).
  • Exterior security camera doorbells at 3002 W Kilbourn Ave (Concordia Historic District).
• Item 8: Approval of April 13, 2026, minutes: Approved without objection.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: Mothball Status for Catherine Foley Tavern (266 E. Erie St): Carl Bahneman (MPA board member) reported recent graffiti was remediated, the building is secure and stable, and weekly checks continue. No issues from the April storm. MPA is working with UWM on a board-up intervention design. A fundraising event (“Brick by Brick”) is scheduled at Brown Deer Country Club. The mothball period is six months. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).

• Item 2: Mural at 918 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Historic District): This was a holdover from the previous month to allow a test panel. Applicant Seeds of Health (CEO Jody Weber, architect Bob Morris, and artist Tia Richardson) presented results. The test panel (Polytab cloth) was applied and removed without damaging the brick, as confirmed by memos from Holton Brothers and State Painting Company. The artist agreed to waive artist rights for future removal. The mural will be painted off-site with community participation (over 600 people already involved) and adhered to the wall. The artist described using a breathable adhesive with a perm rating of 37 metric perms (comparable to Tyvek). Commissioners raised concerns about long-term maintenance and ownership changes; Seeds of Health stated strong intent to retain the building. Staff recommended approval with conditions for breathable adhesive. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).

• Item 3: Door Hood at 1060 E. Juneau Ave (First Ward Triangle Historic District): Gina Mittnacht (president of the owning LLC) described the property as “frozen in time” with historic furnishings, currently used by the Milwaukee Junior League. The new door hood (copper-faced, wood brackets) will protect the entrance after removal of a non-historic garage addition. Staff found the design consistent with the historic character. The applicant also revealed plans to donate the property to a 501(c)(3) for perpetual preservation. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).

• Item 9: National Register Nomination for Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd): Graduate intern Dilruba Shuvra presented a pre-recorded presentation supporting the nomination. The domes are significant at the state level under Criterion C (architecture, engineering) as a unique conoidal form, and at the national level under Criterion C (engineering) as the work of master engineer Charles Whitney. The domes were commissioned in 1954, designed by architect Donald Gribb, and patented in 1965. They are the only conoidal domes used as a conservatory. The commission approved the nomination unanimously (7-0) and will submit comments to the state review board by May 15.

• Item 10: Cream of the Cream City Awards: Staff presented eight nominees. Commissioners discussed the need to improve outreach and prestige of the awards. Voting was conducted by paper ballot. Winners (those receiving a majority vote) were:

  • Commercial/Large Multifamily: Hilton Milwaukee City Center
  • Residential (1-4 Family): SNSHN - Theo Lery Duplexes
  • Preservation Advocacy: Prairie Springs on Park (Urban Ecology Center)
  • Religious Property: Gesu
  • Sensitive Infill: Allen Building

  No awards were given in the Education category. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery.

Key Outcomes

• All seven Certificates of Appropriateness were adopted unanimously (7-0).
• The National Register nomination for the Mitchell Park Domes was approved and will be forwarded to the state review board.
• Five Cream of the Cream City award winners were selected; the ceremony will be held May 21, 2026.
• The commission will consider improving outreach for future awards, including possibly switching to an every-other-year cycle.
• Preservation Commission training is scheduled for May 16, 2026, in Fond du Lac.