PAM Blog

A Taste of Red Wing DTMS’s Annual Meeting

I had the pleasure of speaking at Red Wing Downtown Main Street’s Annual Meeting during February, 2012.  What follows is an excerpt of that presentation. Of the other Designated Main Street Communities in Minnesota… The Willmar Design Center harnesses community volunteers like there is no tomorrow – a team of over three hundred last year [...]

DOCOMOMO: A Name to Know

IDSTower

On Monday, January 30th, a group of Modernist enthusiasts gathered in Rapson Hall at the University of Minnesota to enjoy a screening of Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman, directed by Eric Bricker. The movie, put on by the Minnesota chapter of DOCOMOMO US, and the U of M School of Architecture’s Heritage Conservation and Preservation [...]

PAM receives $15,000 grant for preservation real estate study

Although I wish it were, it’s not every day that I open the mail and there’s a $15,000 check to help support the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM).  I had that joy today when I opened an envelope from the 1772 Foundation.  I was speechless; so rarely am I speechless like this that Emily took [...]

The Unknown Future of the Ford Plant

fordplantmhs

The closing of the St. Paul Ford Plant signaled the end of an era, both for the Twin Cities and for the Ranger pick-up that was produced there. Built in 1925, the plant once produced Model-T’s, and through the years has ingrained itself into our local history. Unfortunately, Ford plans to demolish many of the [...]

Stadium Games

For once, the weather man was right. This has been a highly usual winter. But it has nothing to do with the lack of snow. More frightening than 40 degree Februaries is the reality that the Minnesota Timberwolves have garnered more press in just the last month than they managed over the last five years. [...]

Do It for the T-Shirt (And These Things Too)

PAM is sponsoring a team in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, and is looking for runners to help donate to the cause of preservation. We invite runners willing to participate in any of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events (Medtronic TC Marathon, 10 Mile, 10K, 5K, or 1 Mile) to join Team PAM in support [...]

An Opportunity for Architecture

SPcityhall2

Apparently, the United States – along with the rest of the world – is mired in what many economists, politicians and unemployed young people call a “recession.” While preservation and development may not figure prominently in many headlines or stump speeches, it’s easy to feel pessimistic about their short-term futures when finalizing budgets is like [...]

I am a Historic Preservationist

This post originally appeared on Preservation in Pink, thanks to them for allowing us to share. I am a Historic Preservationist. I love historic buildings, districts, landscapes, historic bridges, comprehensive planning,  sidewalks, rehabilitation, revitalization of downtown, small and local businesses, proper infill, kitschy roadside  Americana, blue highways, heritage tourism, National Parks, open space, maps, coffee and [...]

The Concrete Domes of Hibbing, Minnesota

Waste water treatment isn’t most people’s idea of a great time. Unless you’re a civil engineer…or a preservationist. Some treatment plants exhibit truly innovative engineering that should be saved for future generations. Case in point: the 1938 Hibbing Disposal Plant in northern Minnesota. Built partially with PWA relief funds in the Moderne style, the plant [...]

Saving Minnesota 10 Buildings at a Time Experience: An Architecture Workshop, PT 2

Otto the Otter

If you missed Part 1, click here. -Last Stop- Of course we could not leave Fergus Falls without a visit to the most popular destination, Otto the Otter. -Meeting- After our research, visit to the Treatment Center, and project underway, we were able to go to a meeting put on by the City of Fergus [...]