The Greendale Historical Society is working with a well-known preservation architect as the society begins the process of renovating and preserving the landmark Grounds Building and Hose Tower in historic downtown Greendale. The Historical Society plans call for the conversion of the building into a community center for the Village of Greendale.

The society has opted for a two-phase approach in the renovation of both the Grounds Building and Hose Tower and the old Fire and Police Station building. Phase One of the renovations will begin with the hose tower building and will continue with Phase Two plans for the Fire and Police Station.

“Given the current economic realities, we feel that dividing the project into two phases is the most practical approach for success,” said Ted Mainella, president of the Greendale Historical Society.

So far, the society has secured $53,000 in grants toward the project and continues to aggressively seek additional funding. Exterior work on the Grounds Building and Hose Tower is slated to begin by the end of the year.

“This two-phase approach doesn’t mean that we have given up on Fire and Police Station building. We have determined that the resources required for the renovation of the Grounds Building and Hose Tower are significantly less than the costs for the old Fire and Police Station building and Hose Tower combined. The society feels the best approach is to divide the project into two phases,” added Mainella.

Community Center Planned for Hose Tower

The Greendale Historical Society has begun architectural work on the building commonly known as the Hose Tower. This unique building, adjacent to the Fire & Police Station, is recognized by its striking, red brick faced tower, which was used to store and dry the fire department’s canvas and cotton hoses.

“Our plan is to restore many aspects of the exterior of this building, stabilize and secure its structural integrity, and begin the interior design to house a “New” New Deal Community Center for the Village of Greendale,” explains Mainella. “This area would serve as a gathering and meeting room for all Greendale organizations. It would feature seating for 75-100 people in a setting that would include state of the art audiovisual and meeting room facilities.”

Plans for the Hose Tower will include an outdoor terrace, restored windows, access to the tower itself, and archival storage space. This approach harkens back to the original plans for Greendale in 1936. The current Middle School was the site of the Community Center for many years. The Greendale Historical Society is proud to continue the tradition of providing community space to be shared by all Village residents.

Architect Hired for Hose Tower Project

Preservation architect, Charles Quagliana has been hired by the Historical Society to develop an Adaptive Reuse Study of the Grounds Building and Hose Tower.

“Quagliana brings over 30 years of experience in historic preservation to our project,” explains Mainella. “He has been involved in a wide variety of significant historic preservation projects in Wisconsin since 1978. These include the Wisconsin State Capitol, Villa Louis, Old World Wisconsin, Taliesin and multiple projects at the UW-Madison.”

Quagliana says he is pleased to be part of the proposed adaptive reuse of the City’s Grounds Building & Hose Tower.

“Historic properties provide substantial links to our past,” says Quagliana. “They contribute to our understanding of the aesthetic, cultural and social values of a particular time period. This is particularly significant for Greendale as it was originally developed in 1936 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal as a new kind of suburban community which combined both city and country life. “

The Adaptive Reuse Study includes an on-site survey of the Grounds Building and Hose Tower, the development of concept plans and a building preservation strategy. Construction on the Grounds Building and Hose Tower is slated to begin by the end of the year.