UpTake Editorial

Preservation Staff Recommends Blocking Demolition Of Minnesota Flag Maker's Historic Home

Minnesota has its own version of "Betsy Ross", known for creating the nation's first stars and stripes flag.  Her name was Pauline Fjelde, a prominent Norwegian immigrant artist who embroidered Minnesota's first state flag.  The home she lived in at 3009 Park Avenue in Minneapolis is now in the hands of a local business that would like to tear it down and put up a parking lot.  That proposal has made preservationists and some neighbors angry.

Because of the historic nature of the house and its former occupant, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission has gotten involved and will review the application permit.  Based on findings in a recently issued MHPC staff report, it appears that permit will be denied.

The report notes that not only is the building of historic nature for who lived in it, but also for the structure itself.   It was designed in 1907 by the same people who did the Swan J. Turnblad Mansion which is the current home of the American Swedish Institute which is just four blocks away.

The business owner James Schoffman tells the MHPC that he plans to replace the historic home with grass and possibly a flagpole to mark the historic significance of the spot.  However, Schoffman did indicate earlier that he wanted to tear down the building and put in off-street parking for a Lake Street business building he owns adjacent to the historic home.

The MHPC staff report finds that Schoffman is not required by zoning law to provide off-street parking since zoning laws except his building that was built in 1921.    Also, if Schoffman wanted to put in a parking lot he would need to apply for rezoning, something he has not done.

Schoffman claims the house needs $375,000 to $450,000 in repairs. 

The MHPC staff report says Schoffman has not demonstrated that rehabilitating the house is unreasonable.  Rental income from the home could be used to finance the repairs and in general the building "appears to surpass local and national thresholds for significance and integrity required for designation" and appears to be eligible to be on the National Register of Historic Places as well as designated a Minneapolis landmark.

The Commission will meet on Tuesday to decide whether to deny the building's demolition or approve the permit.  The staff report recommends the permit be denied and the building be given interim protection until it is designated a historic landmark.

Interactive map of historic home, business property and Swedish Institute