De Pere historic preservation commission wins state advocacy award, outlines 2026 projects

The De Pere Historic Preservation Commission on April 27 announced it had won the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions' Advocacy Award for descriptive historic residential neighborhood district signs installed in 2025 and outlined a set of 2026 projects, commission leaders said.

Chair (speaker 1) said she accepted the award last week and thanked members and volunteers: "I had the privilege of accepting the award last week," she said, noting the plaque was not brought to the meeting. Committee member (speaker 4) added, "And I personally like to thank Jonathan for all the work you put into that." Peter (speaker 3), who presented the item, clarified it was an informational announcement requiring no formal action: "This is just an information item. You need to take no formal action on this."

The commission reviewed three principal projects for 2026. First, an education program focused on the city's historical fire apparatus — including the hose wagon now at the fire department — will be developed by Mark and Patrick with a target timeline through May 2026. "We started doing some research on that...so it'll take a little bit yet," Committee member (speaker 4) said.

Second, staff and commissioners identified six potential candidates for state and national historic designation — four residential and two commercial. The commission reported three property owners have already expressed interest at 710 Wawanakwa Trail, 922 White Pine Ave and 334 Main Ave (the Long Branch Saloon); other candidates include 635 Wawanakwa Trail, an 1880 house on Jordan Road (818 Jordan Road) and the former National Bank of De Pere building at 107 N. Broadway, which staff said is already on the state register and is expected to be submitted for the national register later this year.

Third, Peter provided a funding update: Certified Local Government (CLG) grant funding that typically flows through the Wisconsin Historical Society is currently on hold. "CLG grant funding is not yet available...So we don't want to stop working on things like this, but we don't want to get the property owners excited about it," he said, advising staff and commissioners to communicate the hold status to owners. He described the usual grant uses: "The funding covers the hiring of a consultant that prepares the nomination paperwork, submits that paperwork to the Wisconsin Historical Society and then continues with presentations to the state for state designation and to the federal government for national designations," Peter said, adding that any leftover funds can sometimes cover staff or HPC costs.

The commission approved the minutes of its Feb. 23, 2026 meeting and later adjourned. Next steps identified in the meeting record include preparing nomination materials so the commission can move quickly if CLG funding becomes available and having staff send formal letters to property owners once funding is confirmed.

Votes at a glance: A motion to approve the minutes carried (mover: Committee member (speaker 4); second: Kelli (speaker 2); outcome: approved). A motion to adjourn carried (mover: Chair (speaker 1); second: Mark Reinhardt (as referenced by the chair); outcome: approved).