Menomonie commission approves three downtown murals; one commissioner abstains

The Menomonie Historic Preservation Commission approved Certificates of Appropriateness for three downtown murals during its March 9 meeting, saying the projects meet the requirements for art rather than signage and can proceed with minor adjustments.

The murals, at 616 3rd Street East (Lang Building), 400 Main Street East, and 438 Main Street East, were summarized by staff and described as exempt from the city’s sign ordinance because the designs are historic or artistic treatments rather than active commercial branding. City staff said small final adjustments to placement and wording would be acceptable to staff-level review before painting.

At 616 3rd Street East (TWD Enterprise, Lang Building), staff said the wall will be painted black (HC-190) from the approved building palette and the Sanna products mural painted on the brick. Staff noted minor design edits may include adding a short phrase identifying Menomonie’s historical connection to the product, adding a date, and shifting the design up slightly on the wall. The commission approved the Certificate of Appropriateness on a motion by Commissioner Tim Dotseth, seconded by Commissioner Sylvia Gengenbach; the motion passed by voice vote with Commissioner Melissa Kneeland recorded as abstaining.

The commission also approved a mural for Lake Line Properties at 400 Main Street East. That design will be applied to aluminum panels attached to the wall with a treated lumber frame; the proposal calls for historical references (including the Knapp, Stout Co. name) and QR codes adjacent to the murals that will link to contextual history hosted by the Dunn County Historical Society. Commissioner Dotseth moved to approve; Commissioner Carl Rudenborg seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with Kneeland abstaining.

A third mural on the east wall of Holden Smith Properties at 438 Main Street East was approved after staff confirmed that written permission from BMO Bank to use the adjacent lot for access had been obtained. Because the mural’s top edge is above typical scaffolding height, staff noted a scissor lift will be required to reach the upper portions. Chair Ryland Erdman moved to approve; Commissioner Tim Dotseth seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with Kneeland abstaining.

City staff said the administrative team will work with each property owner to finalize minor placement and wording changes and to coordinate logistics such as access and equipment. The commission discussed but did not vote on any appeals or conditions beyond the standard Certificate of Appropriateness requirements.

The commission set its next regular meeting for April 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall Room 58. The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.