Committee Minutes

Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2008
7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Sharon Bures, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger,
Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien, Gerad Paul, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Michelle Dennis, ML Dennis Consulting; Nancy Ellis, Metropolitan Planning Organization; Lorna Meidinger, SHSND architectural historian; Kevin Severson,
Red River Valley Community Action; Peg O’Leary

Gunderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present.

Lorna Meidinger, newly installed architectural historian for the State Historical Society of North Dakota, was introduced and welcomed.

University of North Dakota Historic District
Gunderson introduced Michelle Dennis, author of the nomination, whose credentials include master’s degrees in historic preservation and administration and whose extensive experience includes authorship of the 4th Street Survey (Bismarck) and the University of Oregon Survey (Eugene) and National Register nominations of the Oregon State University Historic District (Corvallis) and the Nonpartisan League Home Building Association MPS (Bismarck).

O’Leary provided background on the nomination process: architectural survey, writing of the nomination, submission for review by the HPC and the SHSND, public hearings at the local and state level, review by the State Review Board, and submission to and review by the National Park Service prior to listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NR).

In the PowerPoint presentation that followed, Dennis gave a brief overview of the NR and explained why and what portions of the campus are eligible for listing.
The NR is the Nation’s list of historic places worthy of preservation and includes buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts.
Criteria for inclusion are a) association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or b) that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or c) that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or d) that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Typically, features must be 50 years of age, historically significant in relation to at least one of the NR criteria, and must retain sufficient integrity to convey that significance.
Integrity is the resource’s ability to covey its historic significance. To be listed a resource must retain integrity in at least some of the following areas: location, setting, design, workmanship, materials, feeling and association. Integrity may be good even if condition is poor in a resource.
The UND Historic District meets Criterion A for significance in the area of Education and Criterion C in the areas of Architecture and Campus Planning/Design.
The Period of Significance for the UND HD is 1883 to 1965. UND was established in 1883 and major post WWII building projects, a change in the master plan and planners, development on the west side of the English Coulee, a change in architectural style and the acquisition of Wesley College were important events of 1965. Some of the resources within the district are less than 50 years old but the NR allows for exceptions if a case can been made that 1965 is the appropriate end of the period as it pertains to UND development.
The district boundaries are based on the concentration of resources as associated with the areas of significance, construction within the period, and sufficient integrity. (See attached map.)
The boundary includes 84 total resources (buildings, structures, objects, and sites), of which 60 are considered contributing resources and one (Oxford House) is already on the NR.
The English Coulee is the oldest contributing resource and forms much of the west boundary of the district.
Chandler Hall (1899) is the oldest extant building in the district.
From 1900 to 1910, Oxford House, the (Women’s) Gymnasium, Babcock Hall, and the Carnegie Library were built.
From 1910 to1920, Montgomery Hall (Commons), the Armory, and Chemistry were built.
In 1922, UND adopted the first campus plan by Morell and Nichols, Architects (Minneapolis), that included a central court and looped drive through campus.
From 1920 to 1930, the Law School, Memorial Stadium, and Merrifield Hall were built.
Post WWII, (1945 – 1960) building exploded beginning with Medical Science Hall (O’Kelly), the Field House, Hancock Hall, Memorial Union, Education Building, Harrington Hall, Fulton, and Walsh.
In 1949 and 1958, Morell and Nichols updated the campus plan along the same lines as earlier development.
From 1960 to 1965, the Chester Fritz Library, Twamley Hall (begins to deviate from the Collegiate Gothic style that has been in use since the building of the Chemistry Building in 1922), Burtness Theatre, Leonard Hall were built.
Post 1965 there is little development within the HD boundaries (Nursing School, Starcher Hall, Swanson, Parking garage).
Structures, objects, sites: Water tower, English Coulee, Campus Mall, Walsh Mall, Smith Hall lawn.
Fraternities and Sororities: Varsity Bachelors’ House (Gustafson Hall) in 1908 followed by Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi (second chapter house), Delta Delta Delta, Sigma Nu, Alpha Phi, Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Chi Omega (second charter house), and Gamma Phi Beta up to 1950 and later houses for Theta Chi, and Lambda Chi Alpha.
Wesley College buildings were constructed between 1900 and 1920. In 1965, UND acquired the Wesley College buildings.
Summary: The UND Historic District is eligible for NR listing under Criterion A in the area of Education as the state’s first university and for significant contributions made by faculty and students to the state and nation. In addition it is an excellent example of university development and includes buildings related to all aspects of university life – classrooms, laboratories, offices, recreation and student activities, dormitories, fraternities and sororities, and support services. The UND Historic District is also eligible for listing under Criterion C for its architecture and campus planning. The buildings exemplify several architectural styles, but most importantly create a cohesiveness and unity, with the application of the Collegiate Gothic style, rarely seen on university campuses. The district is also significant for its planning and design by the firm of Morell and Nichols, implemented through a series of three plans from 1922 to 1965. There are a total of 84 resources within the district boundaries. Of these, 60 (about 75%) are considered contributing resources.

Dennis noted that her research found only one campus in the United States with a larger collection of Collegiate Gothic architecture: Princeton.

Dennis thanked the audience and the Commission for their efforts to nominate the campus and assistance in the preparation of the nomination. Gunderson expressed the thanks of the Commission for the fine presentation and the excellent work in the nomination.
PUBLIC HEARING
Gunderson: I declare the Public Hearing on the National Register Nomination of the University of North Dakota and adjacent properties as a Historic District now open. Anyone wishing to comment, please step forward, state your name and address, and present your comments or questions.

Grant Shaft, 729 Reeves Drive, Grand Forks – as owner of the property at 2610 University Avenue, also representing the Newman Center, owners of 2620 University Avenue, and a member of the North Dakota Board of Higher Education. Questions regarding effect of listing a property on subsequent changes to the building, either usage or structural changes were answered by O’Leary. She stated that the owner’s rights are limited only if Federal funding is involved in making the changes and noted that, as an actively religious property, the only Federal funding available would be for preservation planning. She also noted that the owners of a NR listed building can avail themselves of professional opinions from the state architectural projects manager with regard to appropriate work and products. Listing on the NR is also helpful if a federally funded project would impact the house negatively.
Meridee Danks, 717 Reeves Drive, Grand Forks – Chapter advisor for the Delta Gamma sorority at 2630 University Avenue. She noted that she has tried three times in the past to nominate the House to the NR but has stopped after page 25 of the nomination form. If the house is a contributing element to the District, is there any need to continue with the individual nomination? Gunderson said contributing status in a district carries the same weight as an individual nomination would.
Commissioner Flemmer – very well done report and interesting, easy read. When buildings have combined names (e.g. Corwin/Larimore), background may be given for one of the persons for whom the building was named but not the other. Dennis said she included information if she was able to find it but some she didn’t discover. Flemmer also noted that the references to the “Riverdale units” imply that the town of Riverdale flooded due to the damming of the Missouri and subsequent growth of Lake Sakakawea. In fact, the housing was moved because it was surplussed government property as Riverdale was dismantled after completion of the construction of the Garrison Reservoir.
Gunderson requested further comments from the public. Hearing none, the Public Hearing was CLOSED. She thanked everyone for their interest and comments.

Further comments from Commissioners:
Jelliff noted that the Alpha Tau Omega house was in place in 1954.
Slater asked for clarification of the resource numbers; Dennis noted that a non-contributing resource had been added earlier that day.
Iseminger noted that there are a few typographical errors that need attention. He also suggested a change in section 8, page 21 which implies that the Hudson Bay Co. owned the Coulee. He noted a number of features at the University that are unusual and, while they may or may not belong in the nomination, the information about them could disappear if it is not included:
Wesley Woods – the area of trees north of the Nursing Building in which students in the early 1900s courted.
UND Radio Station – In 1911, the station was one of the first three in the United States.
Carnegie Library – One of two Carnegie Libraries in Grand Forks. It could be noted that leadership at the U. was able to get the second library.
University Station – While it was a railroad station, it was also the legal address of the University as late as 1987. Not aware of any other university that had its own station the way that UND did.
Motion: to forward the nomination of the University of North Dakota Historic District to the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Review Board. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Motion carries unanimously.

Gunderson thanked the public for attending the hearing.

Review of the Minutes
Motion: to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2008, meeting as presented. (Slater, Flemmer)
Motion carries.

Red River Valley Community Action Agency – Kevin Severson
1504 1st Avenue North, built 1928 - The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to reshingle the roof, install 8 vinyl replacement windows, install new gutters and downspouts, paint the foundation and steps, and various interior work. The house is not located in a historic district and is not individually eligible.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed work at 1504 1st Ave. N. (Jelliff, Paul)
Motion carries.
1713 12th Avenue North, built 1948 – The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to reshingle the roof, install new vinyl double-four siding, install new gutters and downspouts, replace 9 windows with vinyl units, and various interior work. The house is not located in a historic district and is not individually eligible.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed work at 1713 12th Avenue North. (Slater, Lien)
Motion carries.
1712 5th Avenue North, built 1945 – The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to install vinyl siding, new gutters and downspouts, attic ventilation and various interior work. The house is not located in a historic district and is not individually eligible.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the work proposed at 1712 5th Ave. N. (Slater, Sickels)
Motion carries.

MPO 4th Avenue South/Minnesota Avenue Study Report – Nancy Ellis
Ellis presented background and an update on the Study progress. She focused on the need for consensus on a plan so the product will be feasible for implementation and not end up on the shelf. She explained the difference between mitigation and enhancement, and she noted that attendance at the public meetings has been low. A variety of methods are being considered to improve the ride and slow traffic. The full PowerPoint presentation is on the MPO web site: http://www.theforksmpo.org/Pages/Projects.htm
Flemmer suggested that the Granitoid is itself a traffic calmer by virtue of the slightly rougher ride. Slater questioned whether data is available regarding traffic safety, accidents, speeds and traffic load; Ellis said the data is available and it is not indicative of excessive speeding nor have there been many accidents. Paul said previous studies have indicated increasing traffic on this corridor that would necessitate changes; he was curious that those count predictions seem to have changed, since this report indicates that the road will support projected traffic into 2035.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
Lorna Meidinger – Gunderson asked the new architectural historian from SHSND to introduce herself and make any comments she would like. Meidinger said her undergraduate work is in history and design and her master’s degree is in historic preservation. She has worked in construction, offices, hardware stores and is an electrician in the military. Gunderson welcomed her aboard.
Iowa Trip – July 27 – 29, Gunderson and O’Leary went to Cedar Rapids, IA, to meet with them regarding their flood damage and options. Royce Yeater, Director of the Midwest Regional Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, requested the trip and the National Trust is picking up the expenses. Gunderson noted that Cedar Rapids is larger than Grand Forks and is hilly, so their flood devastated parts of town and left other parts unscathed. The badly damaged areas were primarily ethnic neighborhoods, which lost homes and their ethnic identities. Monday was packed full of meetings with the Mayor, city council members, their HPC, business and community groups, and a public meeting that had representatives from the Iowa SHPO. Follow-up since we’ve been back has been good.
Chestnut/Walnut Infill – There were two submissions for this area and both will have to seek variances before coming back to the Infill Committee. The Infill Committee members have asked the city to form a comprehensive drainage plan for the area rather than have each proposer develop his/her own.

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
CLG Annual Meeting – Please save September 20, 2008, to attend the annual meeting in Devils Lake. O’Leary will be part of a presentation on architectural surveys.
County Fairgrounds Nomination – The first draft of the nomination is completed and comments have been returned to the author, Steve Martens. The draft has also been given to the SHSND for comments. It’s a very good, comprehensive draft. Upon receipt of the draft, the initial contractual payment was due in the amount of $2,579. Gunderson and O’Leary signed off on the payment. O’Leary requested approval from the Commission.
Motion: to approve the contractual payment of $2,579 for the first draft of the Grand Forks Fairgrounds WPA Structures nomination. (Jelliff, Sickels)
Motion carries.
Riverside Pool – O’Leary met with Ben Olson, EAPC, regarding the city’s rehab of the Pool. Elevations of the proposal were distributed. The plan includes removing a cement block addition on the east side of the building and filling in the stairs to the basement. They also plan to remove the central stairs leading to the pool, primarily for safety reasons. These will be replaced by ramps and stairs at each side with a railing running the length of the area. The railing is designed to repeat Moderne elements of the Poolhouse. While federal funds are not involved in the project, the HPC has been asked to comment on the plans. O’Leary will also share the plans with the SHSND for comment.
City Budget FY09 – HPC’s budget remains intact through the first level of review.

Motion: to adjourn. (Flemmer, Bures)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 9:30 p.m.

The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2008, room A101, City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Signed

Peg O’Leary
Coordinator