Published on: Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:51
Nearly 100 people gathered on March 5th, 2008 at the Central Corridor Resource Center on University Avenue, to learn how cultural resources—from National Landmarks to vernacular buildings—figure into Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) planning and to share their thoughts on how these resources might be integrated into LRT station area planning.
The workshop began with a social hour and poster presentations by organizations working to document, interpret and promote the history and culture of the corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods. The following organizations shared their efforts during the information session:
- The African American Cultural Corridor
- Aurora/Saint Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation
- Forecast Public Artworks
- Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation
- The Hamline Midway History Corps
- The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
- University UNITED & the University Avenue History Group
Click here to view a presentation on “Historic Frogtown” by the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation.
In addition to talking with representatives from these organizations, workshop participants explored a three dimensional model of University Avenue. Built by Urban Strategies, a planning firm working with the City of Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) to implement station area planning, the model depicts the current land use and scenarios for future development around the LRT station areas.
Brian McMahon, the Executive Director of University UNITED, and Steve and Nancy Bailey, local historians with the The Hamline Midway History Corps, began the program by setting the macro and micro contexts for the evening. At 60 miles per hour, McMahon delivered an overview of University Avenue’s long and varied relationship with transportation, from its early associations with oxcarts and the Territorial Road network to more contemporary affiliations with Saturday night cruises to Porky’s Drive-In near Iris Park.
The Baileys took us off University Avenue and reminded us of the diverse neighborhoods that grew to north and south. The couple also shared their remarkable chronology of business and building along the avenue. Their logbooks document a corridor in constant transition—although they have identified several mainstay family businesses dating to the 1920s.
Click here to read Hamline-Midway Memories by Steve and Nancy Bailey.
Next, speakers from PED, the Metropolitan Council, the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Hess, Roise and Company provided background on LRT and land use planning processes. The speakers also outlined the regulatory context which protects designated properties and properties eligible for designation.
The speakers gave special attention to the 106 process, which requires that Federal agencies (in this instance, MnDOT is serving as a proxy for a federal agency) take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The agency consults with knowledgeable parties to identify historic properties and minimize adverse effects. (For more information on the 106 process visit the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation website.)
Click here to view A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 Review.
Minnesota Milk Company
Amy Spong of the HPC and Marjorie Pearson of Hess Roise and Company pointed out that the 106 review process only applies to places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The impacts of LRT on other cultural resources are not evaluated. Pearson cited the Minnesota Milk Company building as an example of a University Avenue landmark that will not be protected through the 106 review. Therefore, other strategies (potentially including local designation) will need to be explored in order to preserve lesser-known, but culturally significant, landmarks.
Click here to take a virtual tour of architectural landmarks along University Avenue.
The workshop ended with small group discussions focused on the following station areas: Westgate and Raymond, Fairview, Snelling, Hamline and Lexington, Victoria and Dale, and Western and Rice Stations. Participants were first asked to identify structures they thought worthy of historic consideration to build on a list of buildings compiled by Paul Larson, the Chair of the HPC. Next, participants were asked to discuss historic and cultural themes that might be captured in a brief history of the station area. Finally, participants brainstormed strategies for preserving and/or interpreting the themes and resources.
Below are several highlights from comments generated by the group activity:
- The intersection of Dale and University Avenue is the first place that newly-immigrated Hmong visit when they arrive in Saint Paul. The centrality of this intersection in the Hmong community should be preserved.
- Several entertainment firms were once located along University Avenue (i.e. the Vardi Motion Picture Company) University Avenue should be resurrected as an entertainment corridor.
- Don’t forget the recent past—especially on the eastern end of University Avenue. Capitalize on what’s already there: like food! The multicultural character of University Avenue should be promoted through public art and the streetscape.
- Vernacular two story buildings are a defining feature of University Avenue. They provide a place for small businesses.
- We should preserve block faces, not just individual buildings. The appearance of University Avenue is defined by collections of seemingly simple buildings.
- The neighborhoods surrounding University Avenue are in need of preservation assistance to enhance their identity. There are many places in the surrounding community that should be researched and documented (i.e. a church at the intersection of Victoria Street and Sherburne Avenue).
- Preserve the auto-oriented storefront displays as a way of memorializing the central role of the automobile in the history of University Avenue. Find adaptive reuses for the automobile dealerships. Maintain University Avenue as a transportation corridor!
Midway Chevrolet
- The African American community—although originally located to the south along Rondo Avenue—has roots in the neighborhoods adjacent to University Avenue. Unidale Mall was originally built as an economic development incubator for African Americans. Although that building may not be considered “historic” the ideals behind it should be preserved in new development.
- Manufacturing uses have always been located right off the corridor. Preserve the links between transportation and manufacturing.
- Include the Territorial Road in interpretive schemes around the Raymond Station.
Dave Orrick of the Pioneer Press attended the workshop. In his ensuing article, University Avenue at a Crossroads, he wrote:
...historic preservationists and government bureaucrats are haggling over which buildings are worth protecting on a street with roots in the fur-trading era…
...Neighborhood leaders, elected officials and cultural enthusiasts are pounding a theme that runs through all of this: No matter what, don’t destroy the character of what’s good in the Frogtown, Midway and St. Anthony neighborhoods…
Meanwhile, engineers and consultants with the Central Corridor project and the Met Council, which will build and run the train line, are nailing down construction details needed for the federal funding application due this fall. Some of their work, which could lead to new cost estimates, is likely to incorporate ideas and proposals coming out of the various planning committees and other sources of input.
Regrettably, there was not enough time in one evening to collect all the knowledge and suggestions of the participants. The University Avenue History Group has recognized the need further collect information about the history of University Avenue. Their website (which is currently under construction) is intended to be a dynamic, community-based resource for historical maps, information and photos of University Avenue.
We want your input!
Where are historic places located along the Central Corridor? What ideas, stories or traditions are embodied in these places? What strategies could be employed to preserve and/or interpret these places and themes? Download a group activity worksheet and send your ideas to Historic Saint Paul.
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