Jan. 24, 2026 6:30p
(WGTD)---The owner of the former Eagles Club ballroom in downtown Kenosha is asking for permission from the city to demolish the historic structure after the building sustained massive damage from a burst water pipe.
Dan Madrigrano, representing the business entity that owns the building, has filed a formal request that'll be considered Thursday by the Historic Preservation Commission.
City staff is recommending denial based on how it fails to align with criteria that's outlined in the city's building preservation ordinance.
A decision by the commission to deny would trigger a six month-long period in which commission members and the building owner are required to undertake "serious and continuing discussions" for finding a way to preserve the structure. If no mutually agreed-upon solution is found, then the owner would be allowed to proceed with demolition.
A developer has expressed an interest in building a luxury apartment complex on the site.
In his demolition application, Madrigrano said the cost to repair the damage exceeds $1.5 million, and that insurance would cover less than half of the cost. The application includes several photos that show the extent of the damage.
The nearly 100 year-old building has operated as a banquet and special event venue for decades under the name of "Madrigrano Marina Shores." The building includes an ornate ballroom big enough to seat 1,300 and architectural features that would be hard to duplicate in modern day.
It's been on the market for several years.
The commission meeting on Thursday is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
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