3.0. HRSR 05-08-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE An inventory of the parcels involved in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan was conducted by the City of Elk River's Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) on March 3, 2001. Each parcel was measured against the eight criteria(found in the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance), which are used to determine whether or not a site is eligible to be zoned"Heritage Preservation Site Overlay Zoning District". The historical significance of the parcels was ranked high, medium, low or not significant. It is important to note that not every site that was ranked historically significant was because of the buildings or structures found on the parcel. An example is the Hitching Post Condominium site. The buildings on this parcel are fairly modern, but site still contains hitching posts dating back to the late 1800's. In certain areas, buildings that had an individual ranking of low or medium historic significance should be deemed highly significant when considered in combination with adjacent buildings. The following areas should be considered highly significant: ➢ The Brick Block—The area north of Main Street and west of Jackson Avenue (304, 309, 313 and 315 Jackson Avenue). These buildings were part of the rebirth of Elk River's business district after a majority of the commercial buildings in the • city's previously predominate business area north of the railroad tracks were destroyed by a fire in 1898. Not only does this entire block represent an established visual feature of the community, it embodies distinctive architectural treatment. The brick construction used in this block was a direct response to Elk River's fire experience. The Brick Block is anchored on the south end by Houlton's Bank. W.H. Houlton, the founder of this bank, is a significant figure in the development of Elk River. It is recommended that the potential for restoring these buildings be explored. ➢ Commercial Block Downtown Elk River—The area south of Main Street and west of Jackson Avenue (701, 705, 707, 709, 713, 715 and 717 Main Street). It is believed that these buildings were part of an expansion of the downtown commercial area shortly after the turn of the century. The exception in this block is the Sunshine Depot, which was built in 1898 and is believed to be the oldest extant commercial structure in Elk River. This block may have potential for restoration under their modern facades. Even in their present condition they represent an important familiar visual feature of the community. ➢ Commercial Block Downtown Elk River—The area south of Main Street and east of Jackson Avenue (641, 647, 649, 651, 653 and 657 Main Street). This block too represents a unique visual feature of the community. More information on the ages and previous uses of these buildings needs to be gathered and the potential for their restoration should be studied. Prior.to the lose of the hardware