|
|
|
October 25, 1999
Poor Farm getsstate support forhistoric designationBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Getting the Brown County Poor Farm property designated as a local historic landmark moved one step closer to reality recently after gaining support from the state. Michael Koop from the Minnesota Historical Society has received the final draft of the proposal from the local Heritage Preservation Commission, who has been working for the declaration. Jon Hartley of Lafayette, owner of the property, needs the property designated as a locally significant historic structure before continuing development plans that will convert the building into a 17-room country inn, or else the city will have to change the zoning ordinance. The final draft has been reviewed, with recommendations that the HPC include a few social reform issues in the final proposal, HPC Member Christine Carmichael said. "They (the state Historical Society) believe it is a valid designation and have sent an official letter of support," she said. The next step in the process is to hold a public hearing to allow residents in the Ridgeview Estates sub-division, where the building is located, the opportunity to offer input about the proposal. The public hearing has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Following the public hearing, the proposal can be forwarded to the Planning Commission for City Council approval. The issue was brought before the Planning Commission in September, with the understanding that approval of the designation would be given, provided Hartley could get funding for the project. "It seems the approval of the city is contingent upon certain things that have to be in place," City Councilor and HPC member Ron Fleischmann said. The HPC needs some clarification and assurance that the architectural plans will be followed once the designation is approved. If the building is not declared a historic landmark for development purposes, a zoning change would be required. The zoning commission hesitates to make the declaration because members feel the building is an eyesore and hinders other development of the area, and declaring a shell of a building as a landmark will tie the city's hands if development does not proceed. The building, classified as Colonial Revival, was built in 1906 to house Brown County poor. It served as a boarding house for the county poor until 1938, when it was sold for use a private boarding house. It has been unoccupied since 1968 and was partially destroyed by fire in 1980. It is built of brick and concrete and is fairly intact, with the exception of the roof, which was destroyed in the fire. It is located across the Cottonwood River Bridge near Hy-Vee. If all approval is given, the HPC hopes to present the property to the City Council for final approval at the Dec. 7 council meeting. The HPC has also developed a certificate that can be presented to residents who have made some concentrated effort toward remodeling or preservation. "There should be some type of concrete representation of recognition for these residents," Carmichael said. "We have developed a point system based upon Department of the Interior qualifications for historic structures." Any structure that is at least 50 years old and not already designated can qualify within the 12-month period determined by the HPC, with any type of exterior work, whether a restoration or a facelift, can qualify. It is the goal of the HPC to recognize five per year, with a minimum score of 50 points. Points will be determined based upon appearance, materials used, revitalization of original materials, maintaining original qualities and enhancement of the historic nature of the community or neighborhood.
|