▼

Historic Designation in Saint Paul

Show All Answers

1. What is the Heritage Preservation Commission?

The Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) was created in 1976. The thirteen citizen board is charged with protecting the City's historic resources. The duties of the HPC include evaluating the acrchitecturual and historical significace of building and districts, recommending buildings and districts to the City Council for designation, and reviewing proposed alterations to designated properties.

2. How many historic properties are there in Saint Paul?

More than sixty individual properties and six historic districts have been locally designated in Saint Paul. Designated properties include a variety of types and styles including houses, churches, warehouses, offices, commercial properties, and parks. Two of the City's historic districts are the historic Hill District and the dayton's Bluff District, which together include hundreds of individual properties. A total of approximately 2,500 sites are already designated within Saint Paul.

3. My building is part of a local historic district. What does this mean?

Local historic district designation is a form of protection for historic properties. Through designation, the City has determined that properties within the district have special historical significance and that your building is an important part of the City's heritage worthy of protection from inappropriate changes or destruction.

4. If my building is located in a historic district do I need the Commission's approval to make changes?

Every Building within an historic district is protected under the City's heritage preservation ordinance. If you want to make exterior atlterations to building (with the exception of minor alterations mentioned in the next question), you must obtain HPC approval before beginning the work. Once the proposal is reviewed by the HPC and found to be consistent with the character of the district you will be issued approval to proceed with the work.

5. Are there any types of work that do not require HPC approval?

Yes. Generally, all interior changes and ordinary exterior repairs such as removing small amounts of painted graffiti, do not require HPC approval. In addition, the HPC staff may approve minor exterior atlterations that are executed with the same type of materials or methods. The HPC staff can tell you whether HPC approval is needed for the type of work you are considering.

6. Will historic district designation prevent alterations and new construction?

No. Historic designation does not freeze a building area. The goal of designation is not to prevent change, but guide it. Alterations, demolition, and new construction continue to take place, but the HPC must first review the proposed changes for compatibilitiy with the historic character of the district.

7. Why does the HPC review new construction on Vacant lots?

The HPC reviews proposals for new construction to ensure that the new building or structure is consistent with the scale and character of the historic district and will not detract from the special qualities of surrounding buildings.

8. Can the HPC make me restore my building to the way it looked when built?

No. The HPC reviews proposed alterations. It cannot require you to restore your building to its original appearance. For example, if at the time of designation your building had a modern entrance, the HPC cannot make you restore the original entrance. However, if you propose additional major changes to the entrance, the HPC would review these for consistency with the historic character of the building.

9. I want to sell my building within an historic district. Must I tell the Heritage Preservation Commission?

No. You do not need to tell the HPC that you are selling your building. Historic district designation places no restrictions on an owner's right to use or to sell his or her property.

10. What is the difference between a National Register Historic District and a local historic district?

The National Register of Historic Places is a list of buildings, sites and districts of local, state, or national importance. This program is administered by the National Park Service through the Minnesota State Historic Preservation office. Some of the City's historic districts also are National register districts, although exact boundaries may differ. Inclusion in what is solely a National Register District does not require HPC review of proposed alterations. For more information on the National Register, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at (651) 296-5434