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Flood Recovery: Historic Preservation Assistance

Historic buildings are among the tragic losses resulting from weather-related disasters. The Minnesota Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will administer $250,000 in state funding for flood relief to assist historic properties damaged by the recent flooding in southeastern Minnesota. This money is available to owners of historic properties who wish to restore their buildings and have exhausted other sources of funding. 

What properties are eligible for assistance?

To be eligible for historic preservation assistance, properties first must possess historical value or association. Generally, for a property to be considered historic, it must be at least fifty years old and embody distinctive design characteristics or have associations with events or persons significant in state or local history.  Second, in order for restoration work to qualify, the work must meet Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.  The SHPO will offer advice and direction in the decision-making process regarding restoration of an historic property to ensure that appropriate preservation treatments are followed.

The SHPO is accepting pre-applications to help applicants determine if individual properties will meet the eligibility criteria. Property owners may submit requests for pre-application screening at any time by sending a completed scope of work form with photos of the storm-damaged property.  The scope of work needs to describe the existing condition and the proposed rehabilitation. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Owners of historic properties in the seven Minnesota counties covered by the federal disaster declaration are eligible.  Eligible applicants include homeowners, commercial property owners, owners of rental residential property, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations. These funds are available after insurance and other sources of funding have been exhausted. Individuals must have registered for assistance with FEMA and SBA first.

What kind of financial assistance is available?

The historic preservation assistance available is gap financing in the form of a grant.

What are the funding limits for historic preservation?

The maximum grant available for most historic properties is $15,000; the cap for properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places is $30,000.  For special circumstances applicants may request consideration for assistance in excess of the maximum.

Application Process

  1. Applicant submits pre-application form with completed scope of work form and photos to the SHPO for review.
  2. SHPO reviews pre-application to determine if property is historic and if proposed work meets preservation standards. SHPO notifies the applicant of its determination regarding eligibility.
  3. If the property is eligible for assistance, the property owner works with the SHPO historical architect to develop the approved scope of work and obtains two cost estimates for the work.
  4. Property owner submits estimates and confers with SHPO to determine the amount of gap funding available. The following are needed to make a preliminary determination:
    • approved scope of work;
    • bids for work;
    • information about insurance;
    • information about FEMA assistance and SBA loans.
  5. Agreement documents are prepared and executed.
  6. The property owner obtains bids for approved scope of work and selects contractor. Contractor signs the approved scope of work. The SHPO Historical Architect must approve any modifications in the approved scope of work.
  7. Work commences. The property owner is encouraged to consult with the SHPO while work is in progress; SHPO historical architect may conduct site inspections while work is in progress as needed.
  8. The work is completed, inspected and approved by SHPO Historical Architect and signed off on by both the property owner and contractor.
  9. The funds are disbursed following progress and final inspections.

Technical assistance and Preliminary funding information

Minnesota Historical Society
State Historic Preservation Office
345 Kellogg Boulevard West
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
651-259-3450
Fax: 651-282-2374
email: mnshpo@mnhs.org

General and Funding Information
Britta Bloomberg, Deputy SHPO
email: britta.bloomberg@mnhs.org
651-259-3466

Historical Architect
Mark Buechel
email: mark.buechel@mnhs.org
651-259-3462

National Register Information
Susan Roth
email: susan.roth@mnhs.org
651-259-3451