‘Plaza’ mystery solved but no decision yet on Rouman memorial

The Rhinelander Common Council has decided to finalize a naming policy for the city before determining which city-owned space should be renamed to honor the Rouman family following the sudden death of George Rouman earlier this summer. Meanwhile, local attorney Brian Bennett, who previously spoke in support of renaming Eisenhower Parkway after the family, announced Monday that he was withdrawing his support for that location in favor of the city-owned plaza at the corner of Rives and N. Brown streets.

City administrator Patrick Reagan also clarified that the plaza is unnamed. 

During the council’s Aug. 26 meeting the area was referred to as Diel Plaza, due to its close proximity to Diel Insurance, but that is an informal designation, Reagan confirmed, adding that he could find no evidence of any naming rights stipulations with respect to the property.

The city has been discussing potential Rouman memorials since early summer.

Bennett first broached the topic during the public comment portion of the June 26 council meeting, referencing the loss of George Rouman in a June 9 car accident as well as the death of patriarch Mike Rouman in August 2023.

“We’ve suffered in our community a terrible loss. Completely and utterly unexpected was the death of George Rouman following the death of his father last year,” Bennett said. “And it really cannot be overstated the positive impact on our community the Rouman family has had. And a lot of folks have, as they oftentimes do when we have a sudden tragedy in our community, a desire to do something.”

Bennett referenced a change.org petition suggesting that Eisenhower Parkway — which is situated between the current Rouman Cinema and the former site of the Rouman Drive-in — be renamed in honor of the family in recognition of its over 100 years of service to the community.

Three generations of Roumans have kept the Rhinelander community entertained as proprietors of the Majestic Theatre, the State Theater, the Rouman Drive-in and the Rouman Cinema.

George Rouman was serving as president of Rouman Amusement Company at the time of his death. An enthusiastic community leader, he was also the owner of the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe on Brown Street and a gelato catering business. 

As the memorial project gained steam, others suggested renaming West Side Park as it is located in the neighborhood where George and his sister, Patti, grew up.

The alderpersons were quick to express support for the memorial idea but directed administration to gather more input in the form of a survey, the results of which were reviewed during the panel’s Aug. 26 meeting.

As it turned out, the highest vote-getter was the plaza at the corner of Rives and N. Brown. 

The council appeared interested in that location, with some suggesting it would be a fitting location because it’s across the street from the State Theater.

The only concern was whether or not there were naming rights already attached to the property.

Reagan provided clarity on that issue Monday evening, noting that city forester Tom Jerow had contacted his aldermanic representative, Bob Lueder, to advise that the plaza does not have a name.

“I actually was on the planning team for The Plaza and of course planted the trees,” Jerow wrote in an email to Lueder that was included in the council packet. “Once the project was completed we didn’t know what to call the park so Downtown Rhinelander held a contest to name the pocket park. The winning entry was ‘The Plaza.’ At no time, that I am aware of, was it called or named Diel Plaza...”

In his email, Jerow also noted that the plaza would be a fitting choice for the Rouman memorial.

“It’s reminiscent of an old movie,” he wrote.

After Reagan clarified the status of the property, he detailed his research into naming policies established by other communities. 

“What I did was, based on your direction, I got 7 or 8 different policies for you all to look at and discuss if you’d like,” he said. “Staff would be happy to take a look at that and find the commonalities and get it all together if that’s what you direct us to do.”

Alderman Tom Barnett said some of the examples appeared to have “too much” detail 

“Keep it simple,” he suggested, noting that “somewhere in the middle is a good place to be.”

“The last thing we want to do is make it so big that no one can rename anything because it’s impossible to fill all the boxes,” he added.

Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to direct Reagan to use the examples to draft a policy suitable for Rhinelander. 

After the policy is finalized, the council will make a decision regarding the location of the Rouman memorial.

In an unrelated matter, the council also unanimously approved an arrangement with Downtown Rhinelander Inc. (DRI) regarding the maintenance of the flowerbeds at the plaza.

DRI will continue to plant the flowers on an annual basis and will maintain the underground watering system installed years ago (including eventual replacement) while the city will cover the water bill, Reagan explained.

“DRI has agreed that, in exchange for assuming all costs for the annual planting, maintenance, and for upkeep of the watering of the flowers in this area and throughout the downtown, that the City of Rhinelander will assume the responsibility and costs for providing water to this plaza area, in order to assist in the efforts to keep our downtown vibrant,” the resolution approved by the council reads. “Furthermore, DRI will be responsible for keeping the existing watering system in good repair and will also be solely responsible for any and all costs related to the maintenance and repair of this system, both now and into the future, including any future replacement costs and all seasonal maintenance; and DRI has been informed that, should this system be found to be faulty, leaking, broken, or in overall bad repair, the water will be shutoff by the City of Rhinelander until repairs or replacement of this system is made and is considered satisfactory by the City.”

In other business Monday, the council also confirmed Mayor Kris Hanus’s appointment of Jerow to the city plan commission. 

During the commission’s Sept. 6 meeting, Reagan advised that commissioner Andrea Boos had moved outside the city, creating a vacancy.

In his application, Jerow noted that he wants to “contribute to the orderly development of my community” and is already advising applicants regarding the landscaping components of the zoning ordinance in his role as city forester. He also cited his 35 years of experience with regulations and ordinances via his career with the Department of Natural Resources.

To watch the entire council meeting, visit www.hodagtv.com.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].