5.0 HPSR 01-10-2007Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission
Policy Recommendations for
Downtown Redevelopment Task Force
The Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission is providing Policy Recommendations for
consideration by the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force. The comments refer only to the
study area defined by the redevelopment task force.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Historic structures and neighborhoods are community assets that provide a sense of place.
Economic development and historic preservation are not in conflict with each other. Numerous
studies point to the economic benefits of historic preservation.
Priority must be given to preservation and rehabilitation of the remaining historic structures of
downtown Elk River. Diligence and creative solutions must be found to meld both the economic
and historic benefits of downtown. Reuse studies, loans programs, historic districts, special
building code considerations, and other similar tools should be used to optimize the economic
and cultural benefits from historic assets.
City assistance shall not be given to any project that includes the demolition of historic structures
without first conducting an economic feasibility study (reuse study) of retention versus
demolition and new construction. Other less tangible benefits of retention shall be considered
such as conservation of our natural resources, heritage and culture. This feasibility study shall
include economic effects on existing businesses. Where a building isn't feasible to retain, then
infill is a viable alternative as long as it meets the design guidelines.
Transitional neighborhoods emanating from the central commercial districts on both sides of
tracts should be kept intact although reuse of the homes for office space maybe warranted. Such
reuse promotes preservation of the historic character. These transitional areas provide an
aesthetic and practical buffer enhancing the livability of the neighborhoods in close proximity to
the downtown.
If a community preserves the integrity of its heritage, that heritage will in turn preserve the
integrity of the community. Bruce Babbit, former Secretary of the Interior
OBJECTIVES TO MEET RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Create historic districts and an ordinance
2) Historic preservation assistance grants
3) Low interest loans from the City of Elk River
4) Establish Design Criteria for the historic district that utilize existing tools for resolving
conflicts with ADA requirements and other related building code issues
5) Complete inventory of residential properties in platted neighborhoods
6) Work with downtown and neighborhood stakeholders
7) Use all tools available to the city for redevelopment for historic preservation
MAXWELL STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS
(CONSISTENT WITH HPC RECOMMENDATIONS):
1) One of the Core CBD's greatest assets is the existing supply of older buildings,
particularly the Brick Block. Any new development in the CORE CDB should be
designed to fit-in and enhance the existing Downtown buildings character
2) Low interest loans/grants for facade to the other building improvements should be
considered. This program should be part of an overall program that would provide
design guidelines for streetscape improvements and a comprehensive vision for the visual
appearance of the downtown
3) Redevelopment projects in the Core CDB, the downtown should capitalize on its history
and promote this as a connection to the community.
4) Housing on Main Street between Morton and Lowell Avenues is lined with single family
homes, some having been converted to office uses. These home offices provide a nice
transition from the single family neighborhood to the west and the Core CDB, thus these
homes should be maintained.
S) Low interest loans, grants, and other programs can provide small business owners with
the ability to reinvest in their buildings to enhance the visual attractiveness of the
shopping/business environment.
HISTORIC DISTRICTS AS DEFINED BY THE
NATIONAL REGISTER BULLETIN #15
A district possesses a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings,
structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development.
A district derives its importance from being a unified entity, even though it is often composed of
a wide variety of resources. The identity of a district results from the interrelationship of its
resources, which can convey a visual sense of the overall historic environment or be an
arrangement of functionally related properties.
A district can comprise both features that lack individual distinction and individually distinctive
features that serve as focal points. It may even be considered eli ig•ble (for national re ig ster if all
of the components lack individual distinction, provided that the grouping achieves significance
as a whole within its historic context.
The number of contributing properties a district can contain yet still convey its sense of time and
place and historical development depends on how these properties affect the district's integrity.
A local historic context represents an aspect of the history of a town, city, county, cultural area,
or region, or any portions thereof. It is defined by the importance of the property, no necessarily
the physical location of the property. For instance, if a property is of a type found throughout a
State, or its boundaries extend over two states but its importance relates only to a particular
county, the property would be considered of local significance.
OVERVIEW OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES
The following overview contains sample lists of known properties that retain historical
significance for the City of Elk River. These lists are by no means comprehensive.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: 1868
Identified as the area south of Highway 10 bordering Main Street and Morton Avenue.
The historic buildings and structure of downtown define the early commercial character of Elk
River and reinforces a sense of place. The buildings downtown retain their structural integrity,
and therefore, continue to have a useful purpose. Additionally, preservation of them is an
objective that is consistent with the comprehensive plan for Elk River, which calls for preserving
the small town character.
The majority of these buildings reflect the era between 1900 and 1920. The development of
design criteria that preserves this unique character is necessary. To maximize the benefits of this
asset, structures in this area must be preserved and building facades restored to their original
condition.
The preservation of historic buildings will reinforce the presence and significance of the
downtown's association with the River.
Brick Block -Jackson Street between Highway 10 and Main Street.
(c=circa; n.d.=no date)
Kemper Drug (1961)
Carlson Wagon Lit Travel (c1915)
The Old Main Eatery (c1910)
Antique Store (c1911)
American National Bank (1903)
Brick Block 5 -Main Street West between Lowell and King
Sunshine Depot (1898)
Daddy O's (c1904)
Cut Hut (c 1904)
Don's Bakery (c1910)
Ardy's (c1915)
Mikol's Studio (c1915)
Block 4 -Main Street between the Bluffs and Jackson
Dick's Main Tap (c1915)
Elk River Chiropractic (c 1920)
Cinema Professional Building (1947)
Miscellaneous Buildings
Elk River Meat Market (c 1915)
Browns Maternity House (n.d.)
Davis House (c1910)
16 known historic residential properties
HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Elk River retains a number of historic neighborhoods that still have integrity in that the majority
of homes are first generation homes. They represent the first platted neighborhoods in the city.
The preservation of these neighborhoods provides single family housing and preserves the
historic integrity of the neighborhood and the City of Elk River. Grant programs should be
explored to provide low interest loans for rehabilitation. These neighborhoods are candidates for
creating local historic districts, which would entail design standards, opportunities for historic
preservation loan programs and neighborhood revitalization.
These neighborhoods are associated with three significant historic contexts in the City of Elk
River: transportation, residential architecture and Schools, Churches, Cemeteries and Local
residential structures, the city's two oldest churches (Union and Trinity Episcopal) and its oldest
school (Handke).
Houlton's Addition: 1874. Main, 4th and 5th Streets between Morton Avenue and Proctor
Avenue. Contains 18 historic properties.
Carr Home
Union Church (1881)
Tyler House (n.d.)
Atkins House
Frank White House (1903)
Landmark Hotel
Handke "Elk Hi" Stadium (1925)
Handke School (1930)
Houlton House (1921)
Depot Street (Jefferson Highway)
River Sites:
Former Sherburne County Fairgrounds
Mill and former dam ruins
Native American Battles 1770s (confluence of Elk and Mississippi Rivers)
Likely crossing of Red River Ox Cart Trail (1840s-1860s)
Thomas Addition: 1875. Bound by Main 4th and 5th Streets between Proctor Avenue and Rush
Contains 31 historic properties
Dare House (1883)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1891)
Depot Street (Jefferson Highway) (c1920)
Spur track (1891)
Auditor's subdivision No. 3) Horseshoe Addition: 1904. Bounded by Norfolk, Manor Place
and Morton Avenue. Reflects next generation of prosperity in Elk River. Houses reflect greater
depth in architectural styling. An inventory is required.
Charles Bade House
Bailey House
Village of Elk River Plat -North Side: 1868 and Burrell's Addition 1883. This is a mixture
of residential and commercial. The neighborhood's integrity adjacent is compromised due to the
1898 fire and redevelopment along Railroad Drive, formerly State Street, and 3rd Street. As one
moves north into Burrell's Addition, there is well defined neighborhood which contains 10
historic residential properties. The homes along Jackson should be preserving and could continue
to provide reasonable single family housing or be reused for commercial professional offices.
The landscaping should be kept intact.
Additional Building Considerations:
Marties Feed Service (c1920) formerly potato and pickle warehouse
Elk River Watertower (1920)
Bailey and Graves Elevator (1922)