Several noteworthy old buildings face demolition

Historic preservationists are feeling on the defense in the state as real estate pressures threaten some high-profile historic buildings.

Among the buildings being threatened are Duluth's St. Peter's Catholic Church, which served as a hub of the city's "Little Italy" neighborhood for many years. Also slated for demolition is the 19th century Stillwater farmhouse of pioneer missionary William Boutwell.

Historic buildings are private property, said Erin Hanafin Berg of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, but they're also part of our collective history.

"We're all shaped by our environment," Berg said. "Our historic fabric is part of that environment so we understand our place in history better, we understand our relationship to our neighbors, to the generations that have gone before us better if we can see evidence of their lives."

As so-called "tear downs" have become prevalent in the core cities, they've brought with them some controversy. Homeowners in the Crocus Hill and Tangletown neighborhoods of St. Paul have run into opposition after plans to tear down older properties.

"A lot of these decisions are being made solely by the property owners instead of really having the community input and opportunity for broader discussion about their value," Berg said.

Some tax credits are available, but Berg said the Legislature could better incentivize owners to preserve historic properties by making them available to more people.