Committee Minutes

Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756

Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2005
7:00 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Rolf Ottum, Ken Polovitz,
Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Peg O’Leary

Motion: to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2005, meeting as presented. (Iseminger, Sickels)
Motion carries.

UND West Green I (WGI)
Susan Quinnell, Review and Compliance Coordinator for the State Historical Society of North Dakota, has asked the Commission to review proposed demolition on the University campus. The West Green I area is comprised of one-level and split-level apartment units along State, Manitoba and Swarthmore just west of the Chester Fritz Auditorium. Designed by Wells and Denbrook, and built in 1956, the apartments were designated as potentially “future contributing” to an historic district. Surveyors, in 2001, concluded that WGI was built outside the period of significance of the UND core, but that if the parameters of the potential district were reviewed WGI might contribute as part of the post WWII building boom. Quinnell has said that UND is not using federal funds for the project. General discussion of activities on campus ensued. Members requested that the coordinator invite Vice President Gallagher and Rick Tonder to a meeting to visit with the Commission about plans for the physical campus. The Commission requests that Quinnell ask for documentation of the historical significance of WGI, along with pictorial documentation of the exteriors, and that the Commission be allowed to review and comment on the proposed plans for replacement structures.

Granitoid Bronze Name Plate and Interpretive Panel Placement
At installation, the R.S. Blome Co. imbedded several bronze identification plates in the Granitoid streets. A piece of Granitoid, about 18 inches square, with an imbedded plate was salvaged from demolition along Lewis Boulevard and is to be placed at the interpretive site just south of St. Michael’s Hospital along the bike path. Drawings and site plan for the site were reviewed. (See attached.) Members wondered who will be charged with maintenance of the interpretive areas along the river.
Motion: to give preliminary approval of the site plan with the provision that the Commission will review and have final approval of the interpretive panel at the site. (Slater, Polovitz)
Motion carries.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
  Preservation North Dakota Legacy Award – Gunderson displayed the plaque the Commission was awarded for its preservation work, particularly the efforts undertaken since the 1997 flood. She said she and O’Leary had accepted the award on behalf of the 21 commissioners and the coordinators who have served since that time.
Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
  History Conference Report – O’Leary outlined the various presentations at the conference that took place on Nov. 4 and 5 in Bismarck.
  Lustron House (formerly 602 Lincoln Drive) – The City is moving forward with plans to reconstruct the Lustron house at a site on the County Historical Society grounds on Belmont Road. The foundation for the dike wall along that stretch will be poured this fall and the wall will be completed next summer, according to Corps sources and Mike Yavarow. Meredith Richards has contacted the Architecture Department at NDSU to begin planning the reconstruction of the house.
  County Historical Society Flood Wall – covered in the previous comments on the Lustron house.
  Riverside Survey – The survey is completed and has been accepted by the State Historical Society. Final payment to the surveyor is being processed. O’Leary distributed copies of her final report to the SHSND regarding the survey; it included concerns regarding the feasibility of future surveys if changes are not made to the existing survey requirements.
  Downtown Nomination – The nomination has been submitted to the SHSND. The contractor will be paid upon approval at the state level as per her contract. The contract also stipulates that she will make any changes required by the federal government, should there be any.
  Beautification Grant – The Commission has received notification that the proposal for landscaping and lighting at the Gateway entrance to the County Fairgrounds is eligible for funding and we are asked to submit a detailed proposal. O’Leary is arranging a meeting of HPC sub-committee members with the County Fairgrounds Board; the optimal time appears to be 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15 in City Hall.

Other Business
  Grand Forks Federal Building – Gunderson said work has begun on the lobby of the Federal Building. Demolition appears to be moving along apace.
  Barn for the EGF Heritage Village – Gunderson announced that the Willing Workers 4H Club of Minnesota (ten youngsters) have arranged for a barn to be moved from rural Polk County to the site of the Heritage Village in East Grand Forks. The move is scheduled for early morning on Wednesday, Nov. 9. She said the youngsters are to be commended for seeing the project through much red tape and many delays. They plan to hold barn dances in the facility as well as using it during Heritage Days.
  HPC Appointments – Suggestions were made regarding a possible attorney to sit on the Commission.

Motion: to adjourn. (Slater, Polovitz)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 8:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005, in City Hall room A101.

Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator