By Lee Reinsch
Correspondent
DE PERE – Renovations of the former Majestic theater building, 123 South Broadway, are underway.
The De Pere Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 3, to award the project a $10,000 facade grant, and to allow a previous facade grant award for the building, which had not yet been funded, to be reconfigured or technically terminated and rolled into a new facade grant application.
The theater building was built around 1882, not long after a fire in the spring of 1882 destroyed all of the buildings on both sides of South Broadway’s 100 and 200 blocks.
The building’s owner, Andrew Krans of Saks Holdings, also owns the historic former post office building at 368 Main Ave., for which the council also voted to award a $10,000 facade grant.
The post office was built around 1925 in the 20th-century commercial style, but it’s not listed on the state or national historic registry.
A previous renovation put a modern stone facade on the lower part.
Saks Holdings estimates renovations of the two exteriors will take around $56,000 to complete.
Health officer position change
In other business, the council voted to change the city’s municipal code regarding the city health officer, from that of a paid position to that of an unpaid position, for liability and legal purposes.
Under Wisconsin Statute 251.07, a physician who provides services to a municipal health department without being paid is considered a state agent of the health services department.
It’s important for the city’s health advisor to be considered a state agent for purposes of liability and legal representation, said Kristen Johnson, De Pere assistant city attorney.
Deborah Armbruster, director of the De Pere Health Department, said the duties of the health advisor amount to about 12 hours per year.
The council then voted to sign an agreement with Aurora Baycare Medical Center for Dr. Steve Stroman to serve as the city’s health advisor, effective immediately.
The former medical advisor resigned voluntarily.
Stroman is assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine for the Medical College of Wisconsin, and his résumé includes the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center, the EAGLE III-Critical Care helicopter, De Pere Fire and Rescue, Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Austin Straubel International Airport, Oshkosh Fire Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Oconto Falls ambulance service.
Crevier won’t run
District 3 Alder Scott Crevier announced he will not seek a fifth term this spring.
“I’m hoping some of my neighbors in the northwest part of the city will step up,” he said, inviting anyone interested in knowing more about his seat to contact him.
Fun and games
District 2 Alder Jonathon Hansen gave a shout-out to two businesses in his district with news to report: TitleTown Pinball, on O’Keefe Road in the East Industrial Park, will be open to the public on Fridays starting Dec. 13, whereas it was previously reserved for private functions.
Hansen also said Game Capital is moving from Reid Street to a new location at the site of the former Dollar General on Main Avenue.