Non-profit owners can access significant financial resources for building reuse and maintenance, such as grants and foundation support. Preservation planning tools like HSRs demonstrate need and help plan for the future.

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CHALLENGE

Deferred maintenance, required infrastructure improvements, under-utilized space, and restoration opportunities made it difficult to prioritize, sequence, and plan for capital improvement projects at the historic reference library, entrepreneurial incubator, and popular event venue.

SUCCESS

In order to plan for future capital projects, New History worked with the James J. Hill Center to prepare a Historic Structure Report (HSR) for the historic reference library building. The HSR follows the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 43: The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports and includes a developmental history, condition assessment, treatment approach, and recommendations. The HSR was financed in part by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society. In addition to preparing the HSR, New History presented on the history of the building and its repair needs to the James J. Hill Center Board of Directors and project stakeholders.