Valuable Input at the April 25 Workshop for St. Anthony Falls Historic District Design Guidelines

A second public meeting regarding development of the new Historic District Design Guidelines for the St. Anthony Falls Historic District was held April 25 at City Hall.  This workshop was a follow up to the initial April 6 meeting held at the Mill City Museum. Brian Schaffer, Senior City Planner, provided background on the process:

Noel Winter (below) of Winter & Company introduced the three professional teams who will consider the input gathered during these two public meetings as they work developing the Design Guidelines.

During the April 25 workshop, attendees worked in groups to help shape Design Guidelines in the following areas:
 
- Refine and define character areas within the district.
- Identify key views.
- Define the vision and guiding principals of the design guidelines.
- Identify design issues.

Below, each group used maps and other materials to accomplish the above tasks. 

 
Historic district design guidelines are a local policy and regulatory tool used in decision-making to evaluate alterations and new development within the historic district.  The new design guidelines will include guidance on the following:

- Archaeological sites and sites of specific cultural/historical significance.
- Existing and new infrastructure; sites of specific engineering and transportation significance.
- Natural features and open space.
- Existing buildings and the construction of new buildings; sites of specific architectural significance.

Below, Steve Minn and Marcy Schulte explained the overall vision of their group: 

Followed by Judith Martin and Laura Salveson's group:

The workshop wrapped up with a lively debate of very different visions and concerns - all valuable feedback for consideration while developing the new St. Anthony Falls Historic District Design Guidelines.

More information on the project can be found online or by contacting:

Brian Schaffer, AICP, Senior City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development 
Planning Division, Preservation & Design
250 South 4th Street, Room 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-673-2670 Fax: 612-673-2526
brian.schaffer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us