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Council designates full Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park a local historic landmark after amendment
Summary
The Common Council amended and approved a resolution to designate Eastgate Hall (Marathon Park) as a local historic landmark, expanding the recommended designation from the stone wing only to the full building. The county had requested limiting the designation to the stone wing; council amendment passed 9–2.
The Wausau Common Council voted Oct. 28 to designate Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park, 1201 Stewart Avenue, as a local historic landmark, including both the stone wing and the wooden portion of the building. The vote followed testimony from the Historic Preservation Commission, the Plan Commission and county representatives.
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended landmarking the entire building; the Plan Commission amended the recommendation to landmark the stone wing only before forwarding it. County staff asked the council to limit the designation to the stone wing because the main white portion of the building had been significantly altered through renovations and maintenance and the county uses the building for fair and park activities.
Alder Martins moved to amend the resolution to include the entire building; the motion was seconded and ultimately carried 9–2 on the amendment, and the main motion as amended also passed 9–2. In debate, council members cited the historic role of the building — including construction of the stone wing through New Deal-era programs and the building’s longtime use for fair and community events — and said partial landmarking would be a “slippery slope.” County representatives told the council the county preferred only the stone wing be landmarked because the remainder of the structure had been altered and recently renovated with ARPA funds.
Supporters of the full designation said exterior fabric and the building’s role in community history warrant full protection and that landmarking should preserve the structure for future restoration that honors original elements. The council’s action directs staff to record the local historic designation consistent with municipal process.
Speakers: Alder Martins (mover of the amendment), county representative (spoke on behalf of Marathon County), members of the Historic Preservation Commission and Plan Commission who briefed council members.
Vote: Motion to amend (designate entire building) passed 9–2; main motion as amended passed 9–2.
