Joliet Historic Preservation Commission

150 West Jefferson Street City of Joliet Joliet, IL 60432 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Brian Bessler Mary Beth Gannon Kevin Heinemann Candace Johnson Kailee Lowry Sharon Merwin Aaron Mikottis Sara Stovall Steven Wright Ken Spiegel Wednesday, June 28, 2023 6:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER DECLARATION OF QUORUM Present Quinn Adamowski, Mary Beth Gannon, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Aaron Mikottis, Sara Stovall, Steven Wright and Ken Spiegel Absent Brian Bessler and Kevin Heinemann APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES May 24th, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission TMP-6093 Regular Meeting Minutes Attachments: 05-24-23 JHPC Minutes Ms. Merwin said that the motion & vote to open the public hearing for L-2-2023: Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark was missing from the May 24, 2023 meeting minutes. Ms. Bernhard agreed and took note to add that information. A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve the May 24th, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes with the corrections. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall, Wright and Spiegel CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS Page 1 of 5 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. Ms. Elizabeth Blasius, An Architectural Historian & Co-Founder of Preservation Futures. Ms. Blasius is also one of the authors of the National Register nomination for the former Will County Courthouse. Ms. Blasius announced that she was excited that the former Will County Courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ms. Jane Burke, Vice President of the Naperville Preservation, appeared in support of preserving the former Will County Courthouse. Ms. Mary Lynn Maloney, Joliet native & resident, appeared to support preserving the former Will County Courthouse. Note: Chairwoman Johnson moved forward in the agenda to open the public hearing. Committee Reports & Old Business were not acknowledged during the meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS There was no discussion on this subject. OLD BUSINESS There was no discussion on this subject. NEW BUSINESS Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street as a Local Historic TMP-6092 Landmark (Public Hearing) Attachments: LHD-2-2023_Staff Report_14 W. Jefferson Street Staff Report Packet Local Historic Landmark Nomination Form_14 West Jefferson Street Old Will County Courthouse Demoltion Overview and Addendum 2010-0514_Will_Physical Building Assessment Appendix Commissioner Merwin motioned to re-open the public hearing. Commissioner Lowry seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Ms. Bernhard announced that there were two presentations and the presenters requested to go first. Page 2 of 5 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 Mr. Gary Anderson, an Architect from Studio G.W.A. as well as current board chair of Landmarks Illinois, gave a presentation on how historic tax credits improved Rockford Illinois, another Rivers' Edge community. Mr. Anderson explained how historic tax credits work and how other communities have used them. Mr. Ron Clewer, Gorman & Company, gave background on his company's experience and some of the revitalization projects they have competed. Mr. Clewer made an assumption that revitalizing the former Will County Courthouse will cost around $60 million dollars. Mr. Hudson Hollister, the Co-Chair of The Will County Courthouse Preservation Partnership, appeared in support of preserving the former Will County Courthouse and finding a new use. Mr. Victor Judd, a Joliet resident, explained that there are various buildings around Joliet that are important to Joliet's history. Mr. Judd believes the former Will County Courthouse built in 1969 should be preserved. Ms. Trista Graves-Brown announced that she recently attended a flash mob dance at the former Will County Courthouse. Ms. Graves-Brown would like to see the former Will County Courthouse revitalized for a new use. Mr. Nick Macris, the Co-Chair of The Will County Courthouse Preservation Partnership, announced that he has attended several Will County Board meetings and he presented costs for revitalizing the former courthouse versus demolition and construction for a new building. Ms. Alicia Morales, JJC Trustee & Joliet resident, Ms. Morales supports redeveloping the former Will County Courthouse and indicated that the Mexican community supports preserving the building. Mr. David Veenstra, history professor at the University of St. Francis downtown campus, compared the style of the former courthouse to some of the buildings on the campus for the University of Illinois Chicago. Mr. Veenstra appeared in support of saving the former courthouse. Mr. Daniel Butler, Will County Board Member - District 3, said that most of the board members who made the decision to demolish the former courthouse are no longer on the Will County Board. Mr. Butler announced that there a several Will County Board Members who support saving the former courthouse. Ms. Janet Diaz, Will County Board Member - District 6, stated that she is against demolishing the former courthouse. Ms. Sherry Williams, Will County Board Member - District 5, appeared in support of saving the former Will County courthouse. Page 3 of 5 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 Mr. Damon Zdunich, part owner of the Bishops Hill Winery, noted that this local historic Joliet building was reused to develop Mr. Zdunich's winery. Mr. Zdunich said that his business attracts visitors from all over and they enjoy Joliet's history and visit nearby downtown businesses. Mr. Don Ciesielski, President of The Cathedral Area Preservation Association, Mr. Ciesielski appeared in support of preserving the former Will County Courthouse. Commissioner Merwin asked if the former Will County Courthouse can support additional levels, Mr. Clewer answered that if historic tax credits will be used then probably not, Mr. Clewer answered structurally yes, the building was constructed to be taller. Commissioner Spiegel asked what will be the environmental impact of tearing this building down, Mr.Clewer explained that he believes the asbestos has been removed and demolition would probably have to be hosed down to prevent dust. Commissioner Adamowski explained that it is written in the deed that the site has to be used as a public use. Mr. Anderson & Mr. Clewer discussed other sites with similar stipulations with the Commissioners. Commissioner Mikotis asked if the City Manager or Joliet City Council has input on this matter, Commissioner Adamowski said there has been no public discussion. Commissioner Johnson questioned whether staff and/or the Commissioners could reach out to the Mayor and Council to gauge their stance on this issue. Ms. Bernhard explained that doing so would negate the process of the Historic Preservation Commission making a recommendation on this matter to go forward to the City Council for their own hearings, discussion and voting. A motion was made by Commissioner Sharon Merwin, seconded by Commissioner Sara Stovall, to continue the hearing for the Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street as a Local Historic Landmark (Public Hearing) at the July 26, 2023 meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall, Wright and Spiegel Abstain: Adamowski STAFF REPORT Ms. Bernhard said the Illinois State Penitentiary National Register Historic District nomination will have a Webex meeting on the State of Illinois website under Historic Preservation on Friday June 30th. The Union Depot Tower project is still moving along slowly, the project received another $60,000 in grant funds. Ms. Bernhard said the Hiram B. Scutt mansion is being worked on and the windows have been removed for painting and the property owner will inform the Commission when the work is complete. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS PUBLIC COMMENTS Page 4 of 5 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall, Wright and Spiegel This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 5 of 5