After much study, the Madison City Council late Tuesday overwhelmingly approved streamlined rules to protect the city’s five Madison historic districts when property owners want to make changes to buildings or developers propose new projects.
The council also approved a new recycling charge totaling $24.80 per household to cover the last six months of 2022 and a policy related to the charge; implementation and assessments for the first phase of a controversial reconstruction of Lake Mendota Drive that’s strongly opposed by many residents over concerns about process, impacts on neighborhood character and water quality; and the appointment of Erik Paulson to fill a vacancy in the council’s 3rd District on the Far East Side.
Until now, to change or demolish a building in a historic district, an owner must get approval from the city’s Landmarks Commission. But the city’s five historic districts – Mansion Hill, First Settlement, Third Lake Ridge, Marquette Bungalows and University Heights – were established at different times and each has widely different standards, some detailed and others vague.
People are also reading…
The council on Tuesday voted unanimously with two abstentions to approve recommendations by the the city’s special Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee, created in 2013, to largely merge the standards with clearer, simpler rules for all five districts.
The committee ultimately decided the approach worked best for increasing predictability for property owners, contractors, developers and the Landmarks Commission, city preservation planner Heather Bailey said.
“Our goal is to make sure things are clear for all out users,” she said.
The Madison Alliance for Historic Preservation has contended it’s better to have core standards for all districts but keep district-specific rules where needed. But Smart Growth Greater Madison, which represents developers, voiced support for the new rules, but pushed for additional changes. A motion to delay the approval lost by a 14-4 vote.
In 2014, the council decided the city should update its Historic Preservation Ordinance, and in 2015, the council adopted the first part of the process, changing how the city reviews work on designated landmarks, and introducing new processes like barring “demolition by neglect” in order to save its most endangered historic properties.
The current effort to review how historic districts are regulated comes after multiple neighborhood meetings – three in each local historic district – and many meetings by the Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee.
The council voted 13-4 to approve a policy and $24.48 per household cost for the “resource recovery special charge” that would apply to all curbside recycling customers, including most single-family homes and properties with eight or fewer residential units and some smaller commercial parcels. The $24.48 would cover July through December. The council established the special charge last month.
The charge, expected to raise $1.5 million this year, would not be imposed on properties that use private recycling services, including larger residential parcels, most commercial properties and all industrial properties. In 2023, over a fully year, the charge is estimated to generate $3 million. The charge is not based on volume so as not to punish those who recycle more of their waste, officials have said.
Those voting no — Alds. Syed Abbas, Sheri Carter, Gary Halverson and Charles Myadze — voiced concern about the city imposing more “regressive” chargers and fees on residents, especially those with low incomes.
But Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the city faces significant budget challenges and challenged council members to identify where they would make $1.5 million in cuts in the operating budget this year and $3 million next year.
The special charge “is going to balance the budget you collectively voted for,” the mayor said. “I don’t like this. None of us do. We’d prefer not to do special charges,” she said, adding that the State Legislature has constrained the city’s options to generate revenue.
Also Tuesday, the council:
- Voted 12-7 to approve the plans, specifications, and property assessments for the first phase of the reconstruction of Lake Mendota Drive, which includes curb, gutter and sidewalks, from Baker Avenue to the city limits. No residents registered in support of the project and 53 against with many speakers asking to slow the process. The council approved the geometry of the full project last month. It will be done in phases in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
- Unanimously appointed Paulson to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Ald. Lindsay Lemmer in the 3rd District. Paulson, a design engineer at Johnson Controls, emerged from a field of five candidates. He earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in computer science from UW-Madison, served as the inaugural chair of the city’s Digital Technology Committee from 2013-15, and has extensive community experience. He’ll serve at least until a new member is elected in April 2023.
- Approved council meeting formats that could begin a hybrid combination of in-person and online meetings as soon as July 12.
Throwback photos: Madison-area bars you’ll never drink at again, part 3
Salad Bar
Ted Cosmides, pictured above, ran the Salad Bar, 123 E. Main St., just off of Capitol Square, from 1974 to 1989. The bar closed after a dispute between Cosmides, pictured above in 1989, and the building’s owner. The building later become the Argus bar.
Sandlot
The Sandlot Bar and Grill, 301 North St., opened in 2003 with a sports theme. This interior picture of friends playing cards was taken in 2004. Before the Sandlot, the site was Steven’s Bar, which was full of Elvis memorabilia. In 2007, the bar became Dexter’s Pub.
Schlitz Saloon
The Schlitz Saloon, at the corner of Doty and King streets, is pictured here around 1905.
Schooner’s Bar & Grill
Schooner’s Bar & Grill, 461 W. Gilman St., operated in the spot now occupied by the Lava Lounge.
Senate Bar
The Senate Bar operated at 188 N. Pinckney St. It’s pictured here in 1971.
Stan Cutler’s Bar X
Stan Cutler’s Bar X Tavern, with its Western theme, operated at 123 E. Main St. Its interior is pictured here in 1941.
State Street Infirmary
The State Street Infirmary bar, 449 State St., caught fire Sept. 21, 1985. Prior to that, the building housed the Athens Restaurant.
The Dangle Lounge
The Dangle Lounge, a strip club at 119 E. Main St., was part of the city’s red light district at one time. The Dangle, shown here in 1979, was next door to the Mustang Inn, a topless bar. The Madison City Council voted to close The Dangle in 1982.
Trameri’s Bar
Trameri’s Bar, 627 W. Main Street., was owned by Edward Trameri. It was later owned by Rich DiSalvo and Donald Harris and became the Main Depot. The tavern, built in 1910, is pictured here in 1974 as Trameri’s.
Wally Gators
Wally Gator’s, 319 W. Gorham St., was a popular spot for live music. This photo was taken in 1988. Bands like Soul Asylum, Jane’s Addiction and Sonic Youth played there.
Wisconsin Inn
The Wisconsin Inn, 852 Williamson St., is pictured here in 1977. It’s been a popular dive bar for years and is now known as the Willy Street Pub & Grill. Some regulars still call it “the Wisco” after its original tavern name.
Whiskey A-Go-Go
The Whiskey A-Go-Go Club, 2611 W. Beltline Highway, spurred controversy during the 1970s as a strip club on a frontage road now home to the Arbor Gate development. This ad is from November 1976.
Library Lounge
The Library Lounge, 131 W. Wilson St., was once a popular bar and restaurant Downtown run by Ted Cappas. This ad is from September 1974.
Turtle Club
The Outrageous Courageous Turtle Club operated at 111 W. Main St. in the 1970s. It was in the spot once occupied by the Congress Bar.
Fox Den Tavern
The Fox Den Tavern, 724 W. Washington Ave., was operated by Joe and Magdalena Pellitteri for many years. This ad is from November 1934. When Joe died, the Pellitteris’ nine sons took it over, and it stayed in the family — first as the Pellitteri Brothers Stereo Lounge and later as the Beachcomber. The building was razed in the 1960s as part of an urban renewal project.
Black Lemon A-Go-Go
Black Lemon A-Go-Go was an 18-year-old beer bar and discotheque on East Washington Avenue. This ad is from October 1965.
Virgo Lounge
The Virgo Lounge operated for a short time at 102 King St. It’s pictured here in 1974.
Rex Bar
The interior of the Rex Bar, 546 W. Washington Ave., is shown in 1944.
Club Royal
The Club Royal tavern, 112 E. Washington Ave., is shown in 1950 in this photo originally published in the State Journal. Owner Homer Cochrane is looking at an empty cash register after robbers stole $515 at gunpoint.
Cellar Bar
The Cellar Bar, 914 Regent St., was located in the basement of the Italian Workman’s Club. It was owned by Gino Baldarotta and known as a place to get microbrews before closing in 1993. It was replaced by the Greenbush Bar. The sign is shown here in 1973.
Merk’s Bar
Merk’s Bar, 2535 University Ave., is pictured here in 1986. The building started out as Arian’s Tavern in the 1930s and had other versions, including Merk’s, the Trophy Tap and the Blue Moon.
Schenk Bar
The Schenk Bar operated at 2009 Atwood Ave. in the spot now occupied by Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace. The building is shown here in 1985.
Trophy Tavern
The Trophy Tavern, 1948 Atwood Ave., mentioned on this matchbook along with Effinger beer, was run by Joe and Edna Matush from 1931 to 1967, according to the East Side History Club blog.
The Villa
Tony Parrish, born Tony Paratore, operated the Villa Night Club, 2302 S. Park St., in the 1950s and 1960s. He was an actor on radio dramas broadcast nationally in the 1940s and changed his name to Parrish when he started singing professionally.
Kaether’s Bar
Kaether’s Bar operated at 119 E. Main Street. This 1951 photo, which originally appeared in the State Journal, shows its shuffleboard team as it was preparing to play in the finals of the city championship.
Eddie’s Wonder Bar
Eddie Touhy opened Eddie’s Wonder Bar, 222 E. Olin Ave., in 1930. He did it with help from his gangster brother, Roger “the Terrible” Touhy. Over the years, it changed hands a few times and also operated as the M.O.B. Roadhouse and the Bar Next Door. It was restored and reopened in 2009 by Jim Luedtke as “the Original Wonder Bar.”
Playdium Bar
The Playdium Bar, 112 N. Fairchild St., had a horseshoe-shaped bar, bowling alley and restaurant. This picture is from 1951.
Fauerbach Brewery Tavern
The Fauerbach Brewery Tavern operated at 651 Williamson St. In this photo from 1933, men and women celebrate the end of Prohibition. The Fauerbach Brewery closed in 1966.
Hausmann Brewery Bar
The Hausmann Brewery Bar is shown with spittoons on the floor. The Hausmann (formerly Capitol Steam) Brewery, at the intersection of Gorham and State streets, was destroyed by fire during Prohibition. This picture is circa 1895.
Quinn’s Tavern
Quinn’s Tavern, 614 University Ave., advertises Lord Calvert whiskey on its window in this photo from 1946. The address later became the first location of Genna’s Lounge.
Rose Bud Tavern
The Rose Bud Tavern, also known as Club Rosebud, operated at 3520 E. Washington Ave. In this 1937 photo, patrons are looking at a poster for Old Style beer.
Spring Tavern
The Spring Tavern, 3706 Nakoma Road, was located on an old stagecoach path in the mid-1800s. It was an inn and tavern from 1860 to 1895 and is now a private residence.
Tubby’s Tavern
Tubby’s Tavern, 416 S. Park St., is shown here in 1983. Over the years, the site has housed businesses including Bennett’s on the Park, Azzalino’s and now, the Mason Lounge.
Bennett’s on the Park
Bennett’s on the Park, 416 S. Park St., closed in 2007, citing the city’s smoking ban at the time. The bar was famous for being the home of “Smut & Eggs,” pairing breakfast and porn on the weekends.
The Back Door
The Back Door Tavern, 46 N. Park St., was the first gay bar operated by Rodney Scheel. He later went on to run two gay bars in the Hotel Washington: The New Bar and Rod’s Club. The bar is pictured here in 1974.
Tony Frank’s Tavern
Tony Frank’s Tavern, 1612 Seminole Highway, closed June 22, 2015, after 86 years in business. It’s pictured here in 2008. The bar reopened as Badger Tavern.
Bailey’s Tavern
Bailey’s Tavern, 518 E. Wilson St., operated on the site that later became the Come Back In. This matchbook is from the 1950s.
Cardinal Bar
The longtime Cardinal Bar, located at 418 E. Wilson St., closed in early 2017 after its owner sold the place. It reopened as Nomad World Pub, a bar with locations in Milwaukee and Minneapolis, and the old Cardinal Bar sign is displayed inside the building on the back bar.
