5.0 HPSR 04-03-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A district possesses a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. A district derives its importance from being a unified entity, even though it is often composed of a wide variety of resources. The identity of a district results from the interrelationship of its resources, which can convey a visual sense of the overall historic environment or be an arrangement of functionally related properties. A district can comprise both features that lack individual distinction and individually distinctive features that serve as focal points. It may even be considered eligible (for national re ig ster) if all of the components lack individual distinction provided that the grouping achieves significance as a whole within its historic context. The number of contributing properties a district can contain yet still convey its sense of time and place and historical development depends on how these properties affect the district's integrity. A local historic context represents an aspect of the history of a town, city, county, cultural area, or region, or any portions thereof. It is defined by the importance of the property, no necessarily the physical location of the property. For instance, if a property is of a type found throughout a State, or its boundaries extend over two states but its importance relates only to a particular county, the property would be considered of local significance. OVERVIEW OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES The following overview contains sample lists of known properties that retain historical significance for the City of Elk River. These lists are by no means comprehensive. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: 1868 Identified as the area south of Highway 10 bordering Main Street and Morton Avenue. The historic buildings and structure of downtown define the early commercial character of Elk River and reinforces a sense of place. The buildings downtown retain their structural integrity, and therefore, continue to have a useful purpose. Additionally, preservation of them is an objective that is consistent with the comprehensive plan for Elk River, which calls for preserving the small town character. The majority of these buildings reflect the era between 1900 and 1920. The development of design criteria that preserves this unique character is imperative. To maximize the benefits of this asset, structures in this area must be preserved and owners should be encouraged to return the facades to their original building character.