'Historic' designation could halt renovations at White House tavern building in Bay View

A 19th-century tavern in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood could be officially designated as historic — which would stop any pending exterior remodeling work.

The building, which most recently housed the White House tavern, should get the historic tag, Ald. Tony Zielinski said Wednesday.

Zielinksi, whose district covers Bay View, has applied for both interim and permanent historic designation for the two-story building, 2900 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

The Historic Preservation Commission will consider both proposals.

The 180-day interim period can be used as an emergency measure to stop work, giving the commission time to consider permanent designation.

Owners of historic properties must get commission approval for exterior changes, such as new windows, siding or roof vents.

Building owners can appeal commission rulings, including historic designations, to the Common Council. The council can overturn a commission decision with a three-fourths majority vote.

The White House closed in December.

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The building, constructed in 1890 as a Schlitz tavern, was sold in January for $400,000 to Franklin-based HCI Properties LLC, according to state real estate records. HCI Properties operates apartment communities in Racine, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac.

HCI doesn't plan any significant changes to the building's exterior, co-owner David Griffith said.

"We certainly respect the building," he said.

Griffith and co-owner Joseph Grasch are seeking a restaurant tenant through a listing with Colliers International, a commercial real estate brokerage.

Plans at the Colliers website include a new three-seasons outdoor deck, renovated kitchen and new restrooms.

That deck would need Historic Preservation Commission approval if the building receives historic designation.

Griffith said those plans are conceptual and could change based on what the building's future tenant wants. He also said the property's new owners will talk with Zielinski and neighborhood residents about the building.

Zielinski said he applied for the historic designations because of concerns the new owners "would try to do something to damage the historic status of that property."

The former White House is among Bay View's most historic buildings, he said.

Zielinski acted after hearing that the new owner had started working on the property.

That interior work was being done without city building permits, according to a notice posted Tuesday by the Department of Neighborhood Services.

Griffith said the only work done so far is removal of trash and other items, which he didn't believe needed a city permit.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com, and followed on Twitter and Facebook.