As a relative newcomer to St. Cloud, I have been impressed by the quality and range of historic preservation efforts that have been undertaken by the St. Cloud’s property owners. These efforts have even garnered state-wide and national attention, the latest of which was St. Cloud’s listing as a “This Old House” magazine’s “Best Old House Neighborhood 2010.

As an Architect, I admire the craftsmanship that is exhibited in the details of the buildings within St. Cloud’s historic districts. But as a resident, I recognize that the true value of preserving these structures is in the stories that they represent. A great way to explore these districts and hear the stories is to partake in the “Preserving St. Cloud” History Tours. Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society, we are able to expand the offerings in 2010. Check out the article below for more exciting details.

Kelly Bartlow, HPC Chair

St. Cloud ‘s History Is Global…

In 2007, the City of St. Cloud completed the St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Community Education and Marketing Plan (CEMP), which recommended the St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) strengthen its focus on sharing community experience through the City’s historic resources.

In August 2009, the City launched the Downtown Tour, Highbanks Tour, and Barden Park Tour to a worldwide audience.

Several options are available for viewing the “Preserving St. Cloud” History Tours. The tours are available for viewing on the City’s web site at www.ci.stcloud.mn.us. The tours can be downloaded to a personal mp3 player via the Internet through ITunes. Lastly, preloaded tours

are available for checkout in St. Cloud Planning and Zoning at St. Cloud City Hall.

These interactive tours feature property and business owners presenting interesting facts and images about the historic and architectural elements of 40+ historic sites in the City of St. Cloud.

In 2010, the City will be expanding the “Preserving St. Cloud” History Tours by developing tours for the Pantown Neighborhood and Mississippi River. These tours will be available by August 2010.

City of St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission

Preserving St. Cloud… A Newsletter Published by the City of St. Cloud’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)—Summer 2010

“Preserving St. Cloud” History Tours

In This Issue

Greetings from the HPC Chair

St. Cloud’s Self-Guided Digital Historic Walking Tours

Historic Preservation Awards

“Going Downtown” History Hunt

“How To Tip”

St. Cloud’s Local Historic Districts

Heritage Preservation Property Alteration Permits

Online Preservation Resources

City of St. Cloud Heritage Preservation

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/herpreserv.htm

Heritage Preservation Property Alteration Permit Application

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/HerPresComm/alteration_permit_application.pdf

City of St. Cloud Downtown Preservation Design Manual

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/Documents/St%20Cloud%20High-Res.pdf

City of St. Cloud Residential Historic District Preservation Design Manual

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/Documents/St.%20Cloud%20Res%20FINAL.pdf

Greetings from the St. Cloud HPC Chair

Page 2 Preserving St. Cloud…

St. Cloud Preservation

Year-At-A-Glance

June 7, 2010 Historic Preservation Awards Council Chambers 6 p.m.

June 12, 2010 “Going Downtown” History Hunt, Downtown St. Cloud 10 a.m.—3 p.m.

June 26, 2010 Southside Historic Home Tour 10 a.m.—3 p.m.

July 27, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

August 19, 2010— St. Cloud Historic Properties Seminar 10 a.m.—Noon

August 24, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

September 11, 2010 Hidden Treasures Historic Home Tour Lake George Neighborhood 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

September 28, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

October 26, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

November 23, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

December 28, 2010 HPC meeting—City Hall 3:30 p.m.

February 2011 Century Homes Plaque Applications Due

March 2011 Central MN Home Show St. Cloud Civic Center

May 2011

Annual Preservation Awards Nominations Due

Celebrating 100-Year Old Homes...

St. Cloud is home to over 800+ historic homes that are 100 years old or older and have unique designs, illustrate high levels of craftsmanship, and are made of high quality, often enduring materials that are not generally used today in modern buildings.

The annual Century Homes Recognition Program was established in 1998 to recognize homeowners that have maintained their historic home’s original architectural character. To date, the City has accepted 60 houses into the Century Homes Recognition Program.

Celebrating Projects and People...

In 2008, the City established the Annual Historic Preservation Award Program that recognizes projects, individuals, and organizations that enhance and celebrate St. Cloud’s historic resources.

Tune into GovTV 19 on Monday, June 7, 2010, at 6 p.m. to see the presentation of the 2010 Century Homes and Historic Preservation Awards.

Historic Preservation Awards

“Going Downtown” History Hunt

We are on the Web! http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/herpreserv.htm

Meet Humphrey the History Hound…

Interested in learning more about the history of Downtown St. Cloud? If so, check out the “Going Downtown” History Hunt on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

The History Hunt will explore Downtown St. Cloud’s historic buildings and the stories behind the buildings that evoke interest and emotion from the public. The event will demonstrate how historic buildings can be used as excellent tools to teach local history.

The History Hunt will also promote the importance of preserving historic landmarks for future generations to enjoy, increase awareness of heritage preservation and how it contributes to maintaining community character, identity, and unique features that define St. Cloud, and illustrate how students' educational activities are vital to the health and preservation of the St. Cloud community.

The event will promote the completion of a 30+ page activity book that teaches how many of St. Cloud’s historic landmarks have contributed to Downtown’s unique and fascinating history.

This event is open to the public, free of charge, and designed for all ages.

Page 3

Helpful Maintenance Tips…

Unfortunately, the City of St. Cloud has recently seen an increase in graffiti tagging activity in the City’s historic neighborhoods.

The tagging of historic buildings is especially concerning because graffiti removal can cause permanent damage if not performed by a trained graffiti removal service.

The City has developed a Preservation Resource Library that houses “Preservation Briefs” from the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. Preservation Brief #38 – Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry is a brief that offers guidance on how to remove graffiti from all types of historic masonry without harming the historic surface of the building.

Rapid graffiti removal is the most effective way to eliminate graffiti and prevent its recurrence in the same location.

Numerous graffiti removal products are available at local retailers, such as Diamond Vogel Paints, Hirschfield's, Mathew Hall Lumber Company, Handyman’s Hardware Hank, and national retailers, such as Home Depot, Menards, and Mills Fleet Farm.

“How To Tip”: “Removing Graffiti From Historic Masonry”

Heritage Preservation Property Alteration Permits Changes Can Make Lasting Impacts...

All properties located within St. Cloud’s four local historic districts require review and approval of a Heritage Preservation Property Alteration Permit (HAP) for any exterior alterations to a building(s). Exterior alterations include, but are not limited to, window replacement, reroofing, siding installation, additions, demolition, and new construction. The HAP process protects locally recognized properties from being adversely altered or demolished and requires the submission of building plans and material descriptions for approval.

The St. Cloud HPC and City staff utilize the City of St. Cloud Downtown Preservation Design Manual for HAP review for properties located in the St. Cloud Commercial Historic District and the City of St. Cloud Residential Historic District Preservation Design Manual for properties located in the Southside Neighborhood Historic District, Pantown Neighborhood Historic District, and Barden Park Historic District.

The HAP application is available online at

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/HerPresComm/alteration_permit_application.pdf

54% of HAPs get same day approval: Roofs, in-kind window

replacement

43% of Projects need HPC review: Signs, new construction, and

building additions

Protection of History is Important…

Local historic districts are the most effective means available for communities to protect their historic resources.

Since 1999, the City has designated three residential local historic districts and one commercial local historic district.

The Southside Neighborhood Historic District is located in one of St. Cloud’s oldest residential neighborhoods. The district contains approximately 261 buildings. The northeast portion of the district was locally designated in 1999 and had been expanded in 2002 and 2006. The district contains the City’s oldest church and apartment building.

The Pantown Neighborhood Historic District encompasses the heart of one of St. Cloud’s most unique neighborhoods on 8th St. No. The district contains 26 single family residences. The district encompasses the most intact and well-preserved company housing units constructed for employees of the ill-fated Pan Motor Company.

The Barden Park Historic District contains St. Cloud’s oldest city park, as well as seven residential properties adjacent to St. Cloud State University.

The St. Cloud Commercial Historic District contains 64 properties and is located in downtown St. Cloud along St. Germain St. W. and 5th Ave. So. The district was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

St. Cloud’s Local Historic Districts

The Court Apartments are located in the Southside Neighborhood Historic District. When built in 1918, the building was hailed as the “first real apartment house” in St. Cloud.

Identifying the most appropriate and sensitive cleaning techniques is very important to the preservation of St. Cloud’s historic resources.

City of St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission

400 2nd St. So. St. Cloud, MN 56301

Phone: 320-255-7218

The St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is a citizen volunteer city board established by the St. Cloud City Council in 1990. The Heritage Preservation Commission’s mission is to recognize and protect buildings and sites that reflect significant elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, visual, or architectural history.

Today, the HPC is entrusted with preserving the historical and architectural integrity of St. Cloud’s historic resources.

For further information contact:

St. Cloud Planning and Zoning

400 2nd St. So.

St. Cloud, MN 56301

(320) 255-7218

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/HeritagePreservation.aspx

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Planning/HPC.aspx