Other obstacles remain. The Fifth Street site adjacent to library remains idle. Across the alley is the former Winona High School, which has been converted into apartments facing Sixth Street. Image: Steve Lunde
Now satisfied, Preservation Commission says OK
WINONA, Minn. — The Winona Heritage Preservation Commission unanimously approved a revised architectural plan for the $35 million Masterpiece concert hall and art gallery. The Commission earlier expressed reservations about how well the plan fits the downtown area’s historic character. In response, architect Jason Woodhouse of CRW Design in Rochester came back with revisions. These included:
> Vertical stripes of different colored stone to the rear wall, to avoid a bare backside visible from Broadway.
> Floor-to-ceiling windows near the southeast corner, also on the backside.
Woodhouse described the changes as subtle.
“A 700-seat venue take space”
Architect Jason Woodhouse told the Commission that some if its concerns were “non-non-negotiable.” These included somehow reducing the building’s bulk. Impossible for a 700-seat auditorium, he said. Woodson said, too, that he didn’t understand a request to cut down a54-foot tall section on Fifth street that would stand taller than the dome on the adjacent public library, itself a historic site. Woodhouse noted precedence in the now-razed junior high school auditorium on the concert hall’s site. The auditorium, he said, rose higher than the library dome.
Next hurdles
Fastenal co-founed Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter, who are financing the project, hope to give the Schwab construction contractor the green light to proceed with construction soon. Remaining obstacles;
> The Winona Board of Adjustment meets next week to consider exceptions to a zoning requirement. These include a requirement that windows comprise at least 12% of all facades visible from public streets. Woodhouse is expected to note that concert halls and art galleries by their nature are largely enclosed.
> Finally the City Council, which has the final go-no go power, will consider recommendations from the various boards, authorities, commissions and agencies — and the public — as required by ordinances. This could be on the June 19 agenda.