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Council designates Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park a local historic landmark, votes 9-2 to include entire structure
Summary
The Wausau Common Council on Oct. 28 voted 9-2 to designate Eastgate Hall at Marathon Park as a local historic landmark and amended the recommendation to include the entire building rather than only the stone wing.
The Wausau Common Council on Oct. 28 voted 9-2 to designate Eastgate Hall (also known locally as the Youth Building) at Marathon Park as a local historic landmark, amending the plan commission's recommendation to include the building's full exterior rather than only the stone wing.
Alder Christine Martins and members of the Historic Preservation Commission argued the building's stone wing dates to the New Deal-era National Youth Administration and retains an intact exterior granite façade that is architecturally and historically significant. The plan commission initially recommended designation of the stone wing only; at the council meeting Martins moved to landmark the entire building, citing historical photographs and the original multipurpose intent for exhibitions, sports and fair events.
Representatives of Marathon County urged caution and recommended limiting the designation to the stone wing. County staff noted that the larger wood-frame portion of the hall has been substantially altered over time, receives regular use for fair and park purposes, and had recent maintenance and renovations funded at the county level. County staff and commissioners said the stone wing is the least-altered and most historically intact portion of the complex.
Council members who supported the amendment said partial landmarking risks a piecemeal approach that could make future preservation decisions more difficult; those in opposition cited the county's concerns about the altered character of the main hall. The council first voted to amend the designation to include the whole building (amendment passed 9-2) and then approved the main ordinance as amended (9-2).
The designation will add the building to Wausau's local landmarks list; council members said the status will guide future exterior changes and give staff a process for reviewing proposed alterations.
Council directions: staff to file the ordinance, notify Marathon County and return procedural details to the appropriate commission for follow-up.
