MONROE — For many decades, walks around the square inevitably lead to discussions about the historic buildings and variety of styles that have largely been maintained. 

One, the White Building, on the southwest corner of the square, which was completed in 1900, has oftentimes been skipped over. This was in large part due to a metal awning that was installed in the late 1970’s. It transformed the building, blocking original storefronts and the Tudor Style design. 

“That awning has definitely been on our radar for years,” said Jordan Nordby, Executive Director, Main Street Monroe. “Specifically getting rid of it,” he said with a laugh. “We’re so fortunate that virtually every building downtown has been so well preserved. The White Building as it’s been for the last few decades is a reminder of why historic preservation is so crucial.” 

For the first part of the 20th century, the property, officially listed as White, F.F., Block, became a great ornament to the downtown and an improvement to the city as a “world class building.” 

When new owners, brothers-in-law Scott Mosher and Kyle Keehn, both Monroe natives, acquired the building in late 2021, their plans included restoring the building. Originally, it was built with the idea that it could be an opera house or guards’ armory. Mosher and Keehn sought to respect that while adapting it to today’s needs. 

A conversation with Main Street Monroe led to the discovery of the state’s Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program. Renderings used as part of the application and project were provided free of cost through Main Street Monroe.  

The program, started in 2013, supports community development and redevelopment efforts, primarily in downtown areas. The matching grants are awarded based on the ability of applicants to demonstrate the economic impact of the proposed project, including public and private partnerships, financial need, and use of sustainable downtown development practices. 

After initial conversations with Ela Kakde, Regional Economic Development Director at Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), and the city of Monroe, Keehn and Mosher were invited to submit a pre-application for the grant to WEDC. That pre-application affirmed rehabilitation and reuse of an underused and landmark building for mixed development, an emphasis on historic preservation, and it being a part of a vibrant downtown district. 

In application materials, an emphasis was placed on Monroe being a WEDC Main Street Community, the building being part of the district, and Main Street Monroe’s work to make downtown vibrant — from recruiting and retaining businesses to year-round programming. Kakde noted the importance of Main Street Monroe bringing forth this project. 

Through the city’s Redevelopment Authority, an agreement with the property owners allowing for submission of the grant application was approved by city council on October 31, 2022. The grant contract was executed June 16. 

The WEDC requires that municipalities submit applications. Because it is a reimbursable grant, expenses will be incurred by the property owners who will then submit reimbursement requests to the city, with the city then in turn submitting to WEDC. This is a first for the city of Monroe and Green County. The application itself was written by Keehn and Mosher, Nordby and current city clerk Brittney Rindy.

While Green County is not considered a distressed county by the state, the project falls in an Opportunity Zone. Created during the Trump Administration, Opportunity Zones use census data to highlight areas ripe for economic development. Consequently, the grant, which typically requires a 3:1 match by the developers, became a 1:1 match for this project. Nordby said that it also means the city is able to apply for another grant in the same fiscal year. He said conversations are underway for another project and application. 

The grant application also included a narrative of the project and budget(s) with quotes for it. It also included summaries of the property’s history — it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 31, 1979, and to the state’s in 1989. Monroe Times guest columnist Matt Figi, who has written about the property, also provided background information to the new owners.

By removing the awning and bump out of the display cases, the intention is to restore the historic appearance of the property. With that, a more walkable flow will be created for retail businesses on the first floor. 

In keeping with the historic appearance, new windows are being installed to allow for more daylight, and offices on the ground floor will be relocated to the second floor. Currently 10 retail spaces on the ground floor are filled. At least four more office spaces will be created on the third floor, which has been inhabitable. 

Kakde said that the project goals are specific to a post-pandemic time when demand for retail spaces has been high, thanks in part to the state’s Bounceback Grants, and a return to office spaces. 

The first phase of the project that is now underway will total between $550,000- $650,000. About $250,000 of that will be provided by the CDI Grant, which is the maximum amount allowed. The original cost to build the building was approximately $30,000 in 1900, more than $1 million today when adjusted for inflation. 

Mosher and Keehn hope to have this be a catalytic investment. Possibilities for future ground floor retail include a restaurant with garage door style windows to open the space onto the sidewalk and take advantage of different Main Street events. 

Additional phases may include bringing back a tower that was on the building originally. State and federal historic tax credits are also being pursued. All businesses, including new businesses Made to Inspire and Forever Frugal: New and Used, and longtime tenant Hair on the Square, are open for business during the construction. Outside work will likely be completed by late August or early September.

Those downtown in the last week are already taking note of the project. 

“We’re excited about the initial feedback we’ve already received from the community about taking the building back to its architectural origins to showcase what it once was and will be again,” Mosher said.