The Madison Plan Commission decided on Monday that five buildings with historic value near the Capitol Square should be demolished to aid the construction of the new Wisconsin History Center, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The decision sided with the Wisconsin Historical Society and the buildings’ owner, Hovde Properties, in a dispute with the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation over the demolition of buildings in the 100 block of West Mifflin Street.
The Historical Society and Hovde contend that the space is needed to stage construction for the $160.5 million, five-story Wisconsin History Center, a museum at the top of State Street. The Madison Trust disagrees, asserting that demolition needlessly destroys buildings deemed to have history value by the city Landmarks Commission. Lacking formal historic designations, however, the buildings do not have any protections.
The Plan Commission, in backing the razing of the buildings, argued that Hovde had met the necessary standards for a demolition permit.
