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Janesville Historic Commission authorizes pursuit of award nominations; Lovejoy House identified as top candidate
Summary
The commission agreed to pursue state and local historic preservation award nominations on a tight deadline, asking members to gather documentation for the Lovejoy House and other potential submissions and to forward materials to staff.
The Janesville Historic Commission voted to pursue nominations for the Wisconsin Historical Society's state historic preservation awards and the commission's local preservation award, asking commissioners to gather materials on candidate properties and forward them to staff for possible submission.
The commission met Tuesday, March 4, during a discussion led by Bridal Yu, a staff member who summarized state award eligibility and deadlines. Yu said statewide applications are due the following week and explained the state historic preservation award requires a completed project within the last two years and listing in the state register or determination of eligibility; the historic restoration award is issued in two cost categories (projects above and below a $1,000,000 threshold).
Because the city does not maintain a certified municipal register, Yu said nominated properties would need to be listed in the state register or determined eligible for that register. The commission discussed several possible nominees, including the Lovejoy House (a historic house on the National Register that was recently listed for sale), Saint Patrick's Church steeple work, the GM exhibit at the Rock County Historical Society, the former bank building that houses the Children's Museum, and ongoing downtown rehabilitation projects such as the Monterey Hotel and the Foyer Doll Building.
Commissioners focused discussion on the Lovejoy House as a feasible candidate. Commissioners said they would attempt to contact the current owner to determine the project completion date and to collect before-and-after photographs and other supporting documentation. One commissioner noted the property is listed for $1.9 million; commissioners discussed whether the restoration work would place the project in the state's above- or below-$1,000,000 restoration award category but did not state a definitive restoration cost.
Brian (staff member) told the commission that, given current staff priorities, the city would likely need assistance from commissioners to assemble application materials. Commissioners agreed to collect photographs, historic images and any press or archival references, and to forward materials to Brian by the next day if possible. The commission proceeded with a motion to submit nominations, contingent on verification that projects met the state program's eligibility and timing requirements; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Commissioners also discussed the commission's local preservation award, which can be issued at any time of year and can recognize multiple projects. Several commissioners suggested broadening the local award to highlight work across different neighborhoods and historic districts. The group agreed to table certain candidates, such as Saint Patrick's Church, to next year where appropriate, and to consider an outreach notice to solicit nominations from the public and from property owners in other historic districts.
The commission asked staff to circulate the state application guidance and the specific eligibility checklist to members so they could proceed quickly if a candidate met the deadline.
Looking ahead, commissioners said they would start early next year to avoid the same timing pressure and that they would use the local award to showcase a range of preservation efforts in Janesville.
