Dennis Cerreta said it has been a lot of work to get to this point.
But after months of meetings, plans to redevelop the Waukesha County Museum and build an adjoining apartment complex in attempt to save the financially stricken museum are finally coming before the city for approval.
While three governmental bodies have to give the plans the go-ahead — the city's Landmarks Commission is scheduled to vote on two aspects of the project on Wednesday — Cerreta, who was recently hired as the museum's operations manager, is optimistic in his proposal.
"I'm confident and can't wait until we get an approval," Cerreta said. "I'm very happy with how it all came together."
Historic effort
The Landmarks Commission has to review the proposal to construct a 41-unit apartment addition to the Waukesha County Museum and old Waukesha County Jail property because the old courthouse, which the museum is housed in, is a local landmark.
The commission also must review the developer's proposal to raze the 1938 connector wing of the former jail at 101 W. Main St.
The city's plan commission is next scheduled to vote on the apartment building on June 24. The common council will then have to sign off on the redevelopment project.
A redevelopment project of some sorts at the downtown site has been years in the making.
It bubbled to the surface, however, when the museum's financial struggles came to light in recent years. And with the county cutting off funding to the museum this year, museum officials needed a plan.
If it didn't come up with a solution, county officials had expressed concerns the museum likely didn't have a future inside the aging courthouse building.
Partners in plan
Earlier this year, the museum announced it planned on selling the building to a local development team, Historic Prairieville Limited Partners. As part of the plan, the developer would allow the museum to continue to operate inside the historic building, while it upgraded the interior of the old building.
Plans to consolidate the museum's exhibits to the first and second floors and restore the third-floor courtroom are two of the biggest changes planned to the old courthouse building. And to make it financially feasible for the developer, Historic Prairieville Limited Partners is proposing apartment units on site.
A glass atrium would connect the apartment building to the old courthouse, providing a drop off and elevator for a new banquet hall in the previous courtroom on the third floor. The units would be one- and two-bedroom layouts. The development would also include two floors of underground parking with about 50 spaces.
Cerreta said the apartments and museum will each have their own identity and will have separate entrances.
"It's a reuse of a great building," said Cerreta, adding he hopes to reopen the museum in spring 2016 and the apartments later that year.
Cerreta said he has met with members of the various governmental bodies and the mayor. Many are receptive to the project, he added.
However, the sale of the building and any renovations are contingent on the city approving the project.
One more celebration
In advance of the approval process, the museum temporarily suspended its operations last month.
Cerreta and other city and county officials, however, will open the museum's doors next week to celebrate the museum's 100th anniversary and Waukesha native Les Paul's 100th birthday on Tuesday, June 9.
It will be a chance to see the Les Paul exhibit the last time in its current state before it is redesigned and moved to its new location.
The event, billed as a community-wide birthday party for Les Paul, runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Kellie and the Soul Mates will provide music and light hors d'oeuvres will be provided. There will be a cash bar and silent auction, which will include Les Paul autographed items. The $50 ticket price includes a donation to the museum.
To buy tickets to the event, go online to bit.ly/LesPaulevent.