PAM E-Newsletter: April 2012

Minnesota's Historic Preservation
E-Newsletter

April 11, 2012
Compiled by The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM)

News from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

Anti(Wrecking) Ball - Friday, May 18

Come on out, you’ll have an opportunity to participate in a great raffle, win door prizes (if you pre-register), hear a couple of bands, we’ll have beer and wine and food trucks. The added bonus is that this is also the first night of Art-A-Whirl and the Soap Factory gallery will be open as well. This is a great opportunity to combine your support for local artists and your favorite historic preservation organization.

7:00-10:30pm
Soap Factory
518 Second St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55458

Return of the Pub Crawl

We're excited to invite everyone to the return of our Historic Pub Crawl series. Join us on Wednesday, April 18th at 5:30pm as we explore the historic drinking establishments of West 7th in Saint Paul. We'll be extending Happy Hour as we visit the Glockenspiel, Chris & Rob's Chicago Taste Authority and Keenan's. We're also working to provide all attendees with a tour of the historic CSPS Sokol Hall nearby as well. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Hope you can join us -- SIGN UP HERE!

Main Street Basic Training: April 25-26

Learn how to apply the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization in your community from an interdisciplinary team of expert trainers. Whether you're new to Main Street or a seasoned veteran, Main Street Basic Training provides the fundamentals on a proven model used to reinvigorate traditional business districts across the country.

New Ulm, MN
Wed. – Thur., April 25-26, 2012   Register by April 16
Registration Fees:
Designated Main Street Program:    Unlimited complimentary admissions; RSVP by April 16
Associate Members:    $65 per person*
Non-members:   $210 per person*
*Save $15 off your registration fee by registering by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30. IMPORTANT: Refunds will be made until April 16. No refunds will be made after that date. More information and registration

Please send PAM your National Preservation Month events happening this May

May is National Preservation Month! The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced this year’s theme: “Discover America’s Hidden Gems”. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota(PAM) will be developing a list of the special events taking place across the state celebrating National Preservation Month to create a comprehensive press release. If you are planning special events in your community in May and would like to include them in the press release, we would need the following information no later than Monday, April 16:

Event Name
Date, time, place
Short description of event
Cost, contact information
Host Group

Please send your event information to Will O’Keefe, PAM’s Communication and Programs Coordinator, at wokeefe@mnpreservation.org no later than Monday, April 16. The press release will be sent to media outlets statewide on Monday, April 23.

A typical listing looks like this:

2012 (Anti)Wrecking Ball
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Soap Factory, 518 2^nd Street SE, Minneapolis
Event is FREE as part of 2012 Art-a-Whirl celebration/ information at www.mnpreservation.org/ 651.293.9047
Event is hosted by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) is hosting its 3^rd annual (Anti)Wrecking Ball, a celebration of preservation and its impact in Minnesota. This year’s event also features an announcement about PAM’s annual 10 Most Endangered Historic Places List. The event features a “Met-rospective,” a retrospective exhibit about the historic preservation movement in Minnesota, commemorating its 50-year history after the loss of Minneapolis’ Metropolitan Building. Live music, a raffle, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Soap Factory will be available, as well as food and drink for purchase. Local food trucks will provide a variety of cuisine options, plus wine and beer donated by Surly Brewing.

Up-To-The-Minute
News & Events

New Preservation Guidelines for St. Anthony Falls

To keep the businesses and homes around the falls both vibrant and preservation-friendly, the city of Minneapolis issued guidelines for height, development and building materials. That was in 1980. Now, those guidelines are being updated in order to accomodate the changing face of the St. Anthony Falls historic area. Take a look at the city's second draft of the new guidelines and offer your input through this online survey.

Developer Looks to Revitalize Pillsbury A Mill

Once known as the world's largest, the Pillsbury A Mill has stood tall on the east bank of the Mississippi since its completion in 1881. It's an iconic structure, and a reminder of Minneapolis' past as an international milling capital. But an undecided future left the mill vulnerable, to the point where the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the building on its 2011 "11 Most Endangered Places" list. But now a $100 million plan -- one of the largest residential construction projects in the Twin Cities -- to reuse the mill as artist studios and living spaces is gaining momentum. Utilizing both state and federal historic tax credits, the plan hopes to bring 255 rental apartments to the heart of the city, and keep a valuable landmark active for decades to come.

Restoration Continues for Litchfield Opera House

Thanks to over $200,000 issued from Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, the Litchfield Opera House will continue its extensive renovation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, the opera house will use the funds to finish repairs to the exterior walls of the structure. Read more about the work being done here.

Former Duluth YWCA Opens to New Era

Now known as Gimaajii Mino Bimaadiziyaan, an Objibwe phrase meaning "together we are beginning a new life," the historic Duluth YWCA building will hold its grand reopening on April 11. One of the very first properties certified for Minnesota's historic tax credit, the former YWCA will offer permanent supportive housing for up to 150 people, as well as an American Indian Center. This is a perfect example of using existing structures to create jobs, unite communities and, in this case, provide a necessary social service.

National Preservation News

Understanding (and Preserving) Modernism

The uncertain futures of classic Modernist structures like the Orange County Government Center in New York and Minneapolis’ Peavey Plaza have helped ignite a national discussion on Brutalism’s place in our communities. The Twin Cities have a number of highly visible buildings that could be called “Brutalist,” from the YWCA on Nicollet to Riverside Plaza to many university classrooms.
These were all once considered cutting-edge structures, and although some may deem them an eye-sore today, it’s important to remember that it was that flippant allegation – “ugly” – that spelled the end for the Metropolitan Building.

PRESERVATION RESOURCES (OF ALL KINDS)

Free Technical Assistance Available
Envision Minnesota is looking to help communities promote growth and enhance sustainability by providing technical assistance for strong local projects. Both local governments and nonprofits are eligible, and the application is surprisingly succinct. Applications are due April 30, and will be evaluated on the need, readiness, potential impact and likely success of projects. To learn more about the assistance available and eligibility requirements, click here.

Symposium on Small Towns Call for Proposals

The 2012 Symposium on Small Towns is looking for presenters to showcase their interesting projects at this year's conference in Morris, Minnesota. The focus of this year's symposium is "courageous leadership," and there are a wealth of proposal categories and format options. Whether you're looking to host a panel discussion on demographic data or telling a personal story on community revitalization successes and techniques, the Symposium on Small Towns is hoping you'll join a premier event for small town development and planning. Click to learn more about the proposal and showcase guidelines, and submit your proposal to the symposium today.

Become a member of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

You get our emails, you attend our events, but you aren’t a member? Change that! Become a member of PAM today so you can take advantage of all our services and receive our magazine that is loaded with preservation information. Signing up to become a member is easy and only takes a minute. Individual membership begins at $40; students are just $20.

Upcoming Events

9/13-14
Preserve Minnesota Conference: Fergus Falls

Mark your calendars now for Preserve Minnesota, the 32nd Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, to be held September 13-14, 2012 at A Center for the Arts and the Kaddatz Galleries in historic downtown Fergus Falls.

Barbara Campagna, FAIA, LEED AP, will be the keynote speaker. Campagna, who has her own private practice, has worked for the past 25 years as an architect, planner and historian reinventing and restoring historic buildings. Details forthcoming at the Preserve Minnesota Conference website.

4/17

"Ghost Towns of Mower County"

Hormel Historic Home brings in Dustin Heckman of the Mower County Historical Society to present "Social Concerns: Ghosts of Mower County." The event is free, but reservations are requested. Do so by calling 507-433-4243 or emailing laura@hormelhistorichome.org.

4/20

CURA Housing Forum: Redevelopment, Refinancing and Renovation of Riverside Plaza

The University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs will be holding a housing forum on the redevelopment of Riverside Plaza, a $130+ million project with 16 different funding sources, including historic tax credits. To learn more and to register for the event, click here.

12:00 p.m., 1925 4th Street South (Hanson Hall)

4/25

Breakfast with a Preservationist

Barbara Mitchell Howard - Deputy SHPO

8:00 a.m., ADM Conference Room, Mill City Museum
This is a free event

As the new Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Barbara Mitchell Howard will help to shape historic preservation policy in Minnesota. Join Preserve Minneapolis for a presentation and opportunity to meet Barbara. Parking is available in a public ramp across the street or in metered spaces along South Second Street. Coffee and bakery goods will be available.

5/31
Minnesota Main Street: Application Workshop

Is your community considering applying to become a Designated Main Street in Minnesota? Learn more about the Main Street Four Point Approach to downtown revitalization and the application process. Registration is free, but we do ask that you RSVP by emailing Emily Northey ahead of time.

Mankato, MN
Thursday, May 31, 10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
RSVP by 5 p.m. on May 21

6/9
Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery Benefit, featuring Low
2925 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis

Two Minnesota bands -- critically acclaimed Low and local favorites Zoo Animal -- will be playing a nighttime concert at Minneapolis' oldest cemetery to benefit the restoration of the grounds' historic fence. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and food trucks will be on-site. Come help preserve Minneapolis' rich history, enjoy great music and hang out in a cemetery after dark. For more information, including ticket prices and parking, click here.