From Preservation Online, the online magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

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Minn. City Offers Cash to Anyone Who Will Move 1878 House from Floodplain


Story by Stephanie Smith / Mar. 6, 2006

Five years ago, when the Minnesota River rose and sent a rampaging channel of water toward a historic neighborhood in the city of Granite Falls, Minn., volunteers and residents scrambled to protect the area with sandbags and temporary dikes. Though most of the houses survived the flood, only one is still standing—the 1878 Weaver House—and it may not be standing for much longer.

The city of Granite Falls wants to give the two-story Greek revival house to someone who will move it to higher ground. Because the flood that threatened the house was the second major flood in four years to hit the town, the city has decided to move people away from the flood plain and use the area as green space. All of the other houses in the neighborhood have been either sold and moved or demolished.

"We're not taking any more chances with disasters," says Dave Smiglewski, mayor of Granite Falls. But neither do they want to demolish one of the few buildings in Granite Falls listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "I wish we had more historic buildings," says Smiglewski, adding that demolition is an option the he hopes to avoid. "If we could save the house in the community, it would be worth it to pay what it would cost to demolish it to move it."

The city is offering $32, 000—about what it would cost to demolish the house—to anyone who will take on the Weaver House and the relocation project. Moving the house could be difficult because of its size and because of lead and asbestos abatement concerns.

The local historical society, which is working with the city to find a solution, may buy the house if no buyer interested in preserving it comes forward. "Whether it's done on the private side or on the historical society side, it doesn't matter," says Dennis Van Hoof of the Granite Falls Historical Society. Though the group hopes that the house can be preserved and retain its listing on the National Register, "Right now, I think getting it moved and set up would be our priority."

The city has set no deadline for moving the house but hopes to have it done by next winter. "We don't have to rush this," Smiglewski says. "We want to give ourselves enough time to make a good decision."

For more information, call (320) 564-3011 or e-mail the Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce at gfchamber@mvtvwireless.com.

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