The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation actively advocates for protecting places in the community that tell important stories about architecture and the City's history. We believe that learning about Madison's heritage through our historic places is vitally important to understanding and caring for our City.
We have created the Advocacy News in hopes that the information we provide will strike a chord with many who live or have lived in the area and are interested in preserving key aspects of Madison's character.
Do you want to know more about advocacy issues in Madison? Are you interested in registering to speak on a topic at the Landmarks Commission, but are not sure how to get involved? We encourage you to sign up for our new Advocacy Alerts. The Madison Trust Advocacy Committee has established a program to provide emails about advocacy-related issues in our community. We know that getting too many emails can be frustrating, so we promise not to overwhelm your inbox.
Update – The Old Spring Tavern Fight Continues
To preserve this property in its historic form, we encourage concerned citizens to help in this process. There are still many actions we can take to try to prevent adverse changes to this historic property.
Read MoreUpdate on the Old Spring Tavern (3706 Nakoma Road)
On Monday, August 29, 2022, the Plan Commission was asked to approve a Certified Survey Map (CSM) that reflected the new lot lines. Read Kurt Stege’s update on this property.
Read MoreLandmarks Commission’s Decision
Splitting the Old Spring Tavern Property is Heartbreaking and Flawed
This month we hear from Kurt Stege, advocacy committee co-chair, about the recent decision regarding the Old Spring Tavern.
Read MoreThe Advocacy News this month focuses on two topics.
Plan Commission Expected to Take Up Large Project in 400 Block of State Street on July 11
Hill Farms Office Building Imperiled
Now That Preservation Month Has Ended . . .
June 2022 Advocacy Developments:
Major Landmark Ordinance revisions adopted
North Blount Street demolition request considered
400 block of State Street project update
As Preservation Month Begins . . .
Updates on demolitions proposed for Blount Street, State Street and University Avenue
In the April, March and October newsletters, you read about three separate proposals to demolish historic buildings in central Madison. Two of those demolition applications are being opposed by the Madison Trust. These buildings cannot speak. Your voice is important. Suggestions of how to be heard are at the end of first two updates in the link below.
Read MoreIn our April Advocacy News, learn more about the demolition proposed for 114 N. Blount St., which is a contributing building to the East Dayton Street National Historic District. Also, read our update on the proposed project for the 400 block of State Street. The Madison Trust’s Board of Trustees has voted to oppose this proposal, which calls for the demolition of three buildings on this block and the construction of one building in their place.
Read MoreDevelopment pressure continues for Madison’s State Street. The most recent proposal calls for the demolition of three 2-story buildings in the 400 block and the construction of a single 6-story mixed-use building in their place. The initial concept encountered a cool reception from Madison’s Urban Design Commission.
Read MoreSignificant revisions have been proposed to Madison’s Landmark Ordinance as it relates to local historic districts. Ultimately, any revisions will have to be adopted by both the Landmarks Commission and the Common Council.
Read MoreIn mid-2020, the Madison Trust offered a series of three virtual programs that had the common reference point of Madison’s Underrepresented Communities Historic Resource Survey Report that had just been completed. This month we revisit the Report as we look at Prince Hall and WORT-FM.
Read MoreAt its meeting on November 15, the Landmarks Commission considered requests for making changes to the exteriors of two different properties in the Third Lake Historic District, just a block or two apart. Neither of the requests generated much discussion but only one was approved. Contrasting the two applications provides a clear lens for understanding the role of the Commission and may be of assistance to future applicants. Learn more about the Landmark Commission’s role reviewing applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.
Read MoreAs part of the Madison Trust’s October 1 newsletter, the Advocacy News included an article about the plan announced by the University of Wisconsin-Madison to demolish two complementary buildings in the 1200 block of University Avenue. The proposal is to construct a 300,000-square-foot academic building to house the recently established School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences (CDIS). Click below to read the brief update.
Read MoreThe advocacy topic for October centers on the idea of salvaging and re-using ornamental and functional design features found on two UW-Madison campus buildings erected in 1908 and 1910. Read about these buildings, which are slated for demolition in a project that will erect a home for the new School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences, largely funded by John and Tashia Morgridge.
Read MoreThis month we report on efforts being made to move a stately three-flat apartment building from West Wilson Street to a new location near Orton Park in order to avoid demolition. Learn what’s involved in this complex and fascinating process.
Read MoreRead about the “demolition by neglect” ordinance that helps the Landmarks Commission enforce a property owner’s duty to adequately maintain a historic property in the city. The Wonder Bar story has continued to unfold rapidly, and the Advocacy Committee and Trust Board have been working hard to stay on top of it. Read our August Advocacy News to learn more.
Read MoreLearn more about the large-scale development proposed for Block 55, the downtown site bounded by State, West Gorham, North Broom, and West Johnson Streets, and specifically the Trust’s position on preserving and reconstructing several facades on West Gorham and West Johnson Streets, locations of early auto dealerships.
Read MoreRead our June Advocacy News and learn more about the status of the Wonder Bar, currently resting at 222 E. Olin Ave., and the outcome of the Common Council vote on the proposed demolition of two historic UW fraternity buildings at 619 and 621 N. Lake St.
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