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Wausau planning panel approves landmarking for stone wing of Eastgate Hall
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to landmark only the stone wing of Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park after debating whether to include the newer, renovated portion of the building.
The City of Wausau Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend landmark designation for the stone wing of Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park, rather than the entire facility.
The commission approved an amendment to an initial motion to landmark the whole building, then passed the main motion as amended. The amendment to designate only the stone wing was moved by Commissioner Watson and seconded by Commissioner Balkan; the amendment passed with one commissioner recorded as voting no. The main motion to landmark Eastgate Hall as amended passed with one no vote; individual vote names were not recorded in the transcript.
Parks Director Polly told the planning commission the building consists of two connected use areas: a white “youth” building that has been renovated at least twice in the past 25 years and a stone wing that has remained largely unchanged. Polly said the stone wing was built with National Youth Administration-era masonry and noted that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the facility in 1967.
Planning staff and commissioners discussed precedent for partial landmarking. Brad, a planning department staff member, said the city already distinguishes landmarked original portions from later additions for several properties—East High and two churches among them—and that such a distinction signals which portion is historically significant. Staff also noted that, even when only part of a property is designated, renovations to connected areas may still trigger review when they affect the landmarked portion or the same parcel.
Commissioners were told the Historic Preservation Commission had recommended landmarking the whole building after its public hearing, while the Parks Department and a county committee recommended designating only the stone wing. Commission members acknowledged that the planning commission and the Historic Preservation Commission apply different criteria and that the City Council will review the commission’s recommendation as the final decision.
If the Planning Commission’s recommendation is adopted by council it will appear on a future City Council agenda for final action.
