Former Smith Elementary School in Oshkosh added to Wisconsin Register of Historic Places | Streetwise
Lydia Slattery
OSHKOSH - The former Smith Elementary School, which will soon be converted into apartments, is now a registered historical site.
The 100-year-old building, designed by prominent Oshkosh architect William Waters, was added to the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places by the Wisconsin Historical Society on May 14 for its design and important significance in the community when it served as a neighborhood school.
The Oshkosh Area School District's school board voted in June 2019 to close Smith Elementary School, citing high maintenance cost for the building. It would have cost more than $3.7 million to repair the building up to a usable standard.
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In November 2019, the board voted to sell the former school to Tim Hess of Invista Analytics for $400,000. Hess is revamping the building with local developers Cal Schultz, Andy Dumke and Chet Wesenberg.
Because of the historical registration, the owners are eligible for a tax credit to help rehabilitate the building. The Homeowners Tax Association returns 25% of rehabilitation costs as a state income tax credit.
Hess said he planned to honor the historical significance of the building when redeveloping the former school.
According to plans submitted to the city, the apartment building will offer 31 one- and two-bedroom units. The Oshkosh Common Council also voted in November to rezone the site for redevelopment.
Contact Lydia Slattery at 920-426-6710 or lslattery@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @lydiaslattery.