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5.0 HPSR 04-03-2007Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission Policy Recommendations Introduction 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. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 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. An economic feasibility study must be conducted prior to any City financial assistance being awarded for redevelopment including reuse (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 it isn't feasible to retain a building, then infill is a viable alternative as long as it meets the design guidelines. Transitional neighborhoods emanating from the central commercial districts both north and south of the tracts should be kept intact. Reuse exceptions for office space in existing homes will be allowed provided the reuse promotes and preserves the original historical character of the property. 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 (Action Steps) TO MEET RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Create historic districts and a historic preservation ordinance 2) Historic preservation assistance grants (Need to clarify; apply, receive, direct what is to be done with grants) 3) Obtain and highlight low interest loans available 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. Complete inventory of residential properties in platted neighborhoods 5) Work with downtown and neighborhood stakeholders forming historical neighborhood watch teams to inform HPC of changes to the district 6) Use all tools available to the city to first consider redevelopment of historical structures ELK RIVER HISTORIC CONTEXT STUDY The Historic Context Study recommends further study of five of the buildings on the West side of Jackson St due to their significance as being part of the core of early twentieth-century downtown Elk River. Future local designations, including a potential downtown commercial historic district should be considered. New downtown development should be compatible with the materials, style, placement, height, and pedestrian-oriented scale of the existing historic buildings. MAXFIELD 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. 5) 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 eligible (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 imperative. To maximize the benefits of this asset, structures in this area must be preserved and owners should be encouraged to return the facades to their original building character. The preservation of historic buildings can reinforce the presence and significance of the downtown's association with the River. Brick Block -Jackson Street between Highway 10 and Main Street. -Referred to in the Context Study as needing further preservation study (c=circa; n.d.=no date) • Kemper Drug (1961) -the former State Historic Architect stated that this building has unique architecture and in the Context Study as a weel-conserved example of early 1960s retail building • Carlson Wagon Lit Travel (c1915) -Context study states that this is significant due to the being the 2°d location of the Bank of Elk River, the first bank in Sherburne County • The Old Main Eatery (c 1910) -Context Study states that is retains a good level of historic integrity • Antique Store (c 1911) • American National Bank (1903) -Context Study states that this building is significant for its association with the Houlton Family and Elk River's early mercantile and financial .institutions. Brick Block 5 -Main Street West between Lowell and King • Sunshine Depot (1898) -One of the earliest commercial buildings in the town center according to the Context Study • 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 (c1915) -The original roofline is intact • 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 aze 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) -Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • Tyler House (n.d.) • Atkins House • Frank White House (1903) -Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • Landmark Hotel • Handke "Elk Hi" Stadium (1925) • Handke School (1930) • Houlton House (1921) -Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • 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 4`h and 5th Streets between Proctor Avenue and Rush Contains 31 historic properties • Daze House (1883) • Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1891) -Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • Depot Street (Jefferson Highway) (c 1920) • 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- Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • 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 3`d 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: Heritage Sites • Marties Feed Service (c 1920) formerly potato and pickle warehouse • Elk River Watertower (1920) -Included in the MHS History/Architecture Inventory • Bailey and Graves Elevator (1922)