7.0. HRSR 06-27-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Item 4.5. City of Elk -�-� River MEMORANDUM TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority FROM: Stephen Rohlf, Building & Zoning Administrator DATE: June 27, 2001 SUBJECT: Context Study The Heritage Preservation Commission strongly recommends that a context study with a focus on the Downtown area be completed before any redevelopment proposal • is seriously contemplated. In an effort to keep Downtown vital, it would be shame to destroy what we are trying to save, Main Street, USA. A context study takes less than six months and will cost $10,000 to $12,000. One half of the cost can be recouped with grant money. I believe the next grant cycle is this fall. A context study using grant money could be complete by this time next year. A context study identifies the significant historic themes of a community, put in a regional perspective. Some examples of historic themes in Elk River will most likely include: transportation (river, railroads, etc.), commerce, & energy. A context study gives a framework that can be used to weigh the importance of structures and places to a community's heritage to aid its planning efforts. It is also the first step in developing a written history of a community. Much of Elk River's heritage centers on the Downtown area. A context study that focuses on this area with a survey of historic structures and places would not only be appropriate for the greater study of Elk River, but would also greatly aid the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in their planning efforts or when reviewing a specific redevelopment proposal. Other places are trying to create a "Downtown Area" to instill a sense of community. • We have one. Let's clearly identify what we have before it is gone, you can only tear something down once.