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Common council approves Blackhawk Business District

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By Correne Martin

 

The Blackhawk Business Design and Preservation District was given the support of the Prairie du Chien Common Council at its May 17 meeting. Though a few boundary amendments were part of the approved district, the next step for the city’s Design and Preservation Commission is to fund and submit an application for a National Register of Historic Places designation to be considered by the state and federal governments.

The council approved the Blackhawk district unanimously, but not before it removed all residential properties from the map, according to City Administrator Chad Abram. This includes the home of Patrick Igou and his family, which is also known as the Alaska-Canadian Fur Trade Company building. Igou has attended multiple meetings of the commission and council, asking for his home at 133 N. Beaumont Rd., not to be included. So, now, his property, and that of Tom and Cathie Nelson, at 128 S. Prairie St., as well as a couple other residential structures, were cut out of the business district. 

Commission Chair Chad Fradette explained why they were included in the proposal in the first place. 

“When we did the district, we put the houses in because they were already zoned commercial,” Fradette said, estimating this included about four homes. “At some point, the owners must have been OK with those being zoned commercial.”

He further mentioned that—since they are zoned commercial by the city—if these homes come down in the future, whatever new construction goes up in their place will need to be operated commercially. If that becomes the case, they could be added back into the district, he said. 

“We just didn’t want something high-end modern built next to a historic district. That can wreck the value of a historic property next to it,” Fradette stated. “But [the commission is] happy it’s a district.”

To have the entire district designated historic, the next part of the process will cost $15,000 to $20,000 for someone to conduct the proper paperwork and a historical study, then submit those for consideration. 

“It’s a long process,” Fradette said. “But this is a positive move for Prairie du Chien.”

Housing proposal

Also during last week’s meeting, the council was presented an affordable housing proposal from Gerrard Companies and Couleecap, regarding a 50-unit facility similar to the one on Brunson Court for which ground was just broken last month. 

Public safety facility

The city heard another presentation from Trevor Frank, a senior architect with the firm Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), about the progress of discussions on a new public safety facility in Prairie du Chien’s future. Prior discourse has included the fire department, EMS and possibly other entities as part of such a project.

Abram said talks are still very preliminary and nothing is set in stone. However, land between the current Prairie du Chien fire station and Mayo Clinic is no longer an option really. Mayo seems uninterested in making a deal with the city, as the institution may have its own desires for its present greenspace.

“The old hospital site (along Dousman and State Streets, at Taylor Street) seems most encouraging and cost effective,” Abram stated. 

Yet, borrowing capacity is not something the city of Prairie du Chien has at this time for the $10.6-$10.7 million project.

He mentioned talking to the city’s congressional and senatorial representatives to see what possible financial assistance or grant aids might help move the project forward faster. He said there is a 2023 grant for $7.5 million for which the city is applying.

Property acquisitions

After closed session, the council approved the acquisition of the Jim and Barb Welsch home at 708 E. Blackhawk Ave., between the fire station and the Prairie Bluffs Court property under development. Abram said the house was purchased and it will be moved.

The council also approved the purchase of 3 acres of property next to the Blackhawk Apartments, along East Blackhawk Avenue. Abram said Affordable Housing funds were used toward this purchase. 

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