Title
Subject: Consideration of language for a resolution recognizing the re-designation of the structure at 936 South Main Street as a Racine Landmark.
Recommendation of the City Plan Commission on 2-14-07: That the following criteria be adopted for use in the evaluation of requests for certificates of appropriateness for the structure at 936 S. Main Street, commonly known as the Blake House:
Whereas, Section 58-61 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine establishes criteria for the designation of landmarks or landmark sites.
Whereas, the property at 936 S. Main Street meets two criteria in that it embodies distinguishing characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship, and it is identified with a person of historical importance as follows:
a. Distinguishing characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship:
An exceptionally well preserved and high quality example of asymmetrical Italianate (Italian Villa style) residential architecture popular in the period 1840-1880. The property also features the distinctive cream brick native to Racine.
b. Distinguishing characteristics identified with a person of historical importance:
Lucius Sawyer Blake: born 1816 in Burlington, Vermont; settled in Racine County in 1835; Racine Village Trustee about 1839-1840; manufacture of farm implements; County Treasurer in 1846; Provost Marshall for Camp Utley in 1862 and conducted first military draft in Wisconsin; Alderman for the Second Ward for eight years; Racine representative to State Assembly from 1871-72; owner of 936 S. Main Street from 1873 to 1894; built the opulent Blake Opera House in 1882 that once stood at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and College Ave.; died in 1894.
Whereas, in 1977 the Blake House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the Southside Historic District, and in 1987, the property received its initial designation as a Racine Landmark.
Whereas, on January 8, 2007 the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to re-nominate the property at 936 S. Main Street as a Racine Landmark.
Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Racine, that the following characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship are essential to the Blake House, 936 S. Main Street, should be preserved, and shall be considered by the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission in evaluating requests for Certificates of Appropriateness for the property under Sections 58-63 and 58-64 of the Municipal Code:
a. Exposed cream brick exterior.
b. Double bracket cornice.
c. Ornamental wood trim.
d. Arched window openings with raised brick hood moldings.
e. Three story campanile (tower).
f. Three semicircular open arches with decorative brick work to accent the entryway beneath the tower.
g. Double door entry under tower having art glass windows.
h. Original restored third floor tower windows.
i. Rear wooden porch.
j. Stacked (two story) bay windows on the northern façade.
k. Bay windows on the southern façade.
Note: Interior details worthy of preservation, but beyond the authority of Sections 58-63 and 58-64 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine, include 13 foot ceilings with ornamental plaster cornices, an open stair case, restored parquet floors, original plank floors on the second floor, marble and oak fireplaces, heavy window casings with louvered built-in window shutters, and period light fixtures.
Fiscal Note: N/A