Council upholds historic designation of Professional Arts Building over Mayo Clinic appeal

The La Crosse Common Council on April 9 denied Mayo Health System's appeal of the Heritage Preservation Commission's unanimous designation of the Professional Arts Building as a local historic structure. The council vote to deny the appeal was 10–3 after a public hearing with representatives from Mayo, preservation advocates, former HPC members and other community speakers.

Mayo's counsel Brent Smith opened the appeal by saying the designation, while well-intended, could restrict the hospital system’s ability to adapt exterior elements needed for modern patient care, energy improvements or large equipment installations. "Restrictions on the use of our building should not be a limiting factor in providing that patient care," Smith said, emphasizing the health system’s need for facility flexibility.

Mayo representatives—including Dr. Paul Molling and Gordon Howie—described the Professional Arts Building’s role in current outpatient care and training, and argued that extra review steps could delay necessary upgrades. Jennifer Livingston, Mayo’s director of community engagement, said the system had invested millions in the building and sought to continue a collaborative relationship with the city.

Preservation advocates and Heritage Preservation Commission members countered that the designation governs only exterior changes and that the commission’s review process supports adaptation, not prohibition. Samuel Lindner, the Preservation Alliance’s president and a lifelong city resident, urged the council to respect the unanimous HPC decision and noted the designation adds only a deliberate planning interval for exterior work. Project proponents also emphasized the building’s historical ties to nursing education and the Franciscan sisters.

Deputy planning director Tim Ackland explained the chapter 20 designation criteria and process: nominations undergo two HPC meetings and public notice; designation affects exterior alterations reviewed through a certificate of appropriateness process, and state building code historic provisions can provide alternative compliance paths that accommodate ADA or energy-efficiency upgrades.

Councilmembers who supported denial said the HPC followed the ordinance and that designation does not preclude appropriate adaptation or interior modernization. Councilmembers in the minority worried that designation could complicate future needs for a major regional health provider.

Outcome and next steps: The council’s denial of Mayo’s appeal leaves the HPC designation in place. Staff noted demolition or exterior changes remain possible under the ordinance through the certificate of appropriateness process and potential appeals to the council; no immediate changes to Mayo’s operations were ordered by the council.