Podcasts

This photo of Block E in downtown Minneapolis was taken in 1973 as part of the Environmental Protection Agency's "Documerica" Project (1972-77) to document "subjects of environmental concern."

On a chilly January day, I convinced my former colleague, George Kissinger, to give me a tour of downtown Minneapolis redevelopment projects with which he was involved during his 30-year career as a project manager for the City.

In this first video clip, George describes the local government’s role in creating a large tax increment financing district to facilitate redevelopment of entire blocks which now contain City Center, Gaviidae Common, and the Block E complex.  Community pressure to rid downtown of the seedy influence of degraded properties, porn shops, and bars prompted city officials to get involved.

In 1988, at a community event to celebrate the impending demolition of Block E’s small-scale commercial buildings between 6th and 7th streets on Hennepin Avenue, the executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency was quoted in the Star Tribune: “We’re now removing this blight to bring life and people back to Hennepin Avenue.”

Stay tuned for more of George’s recollections in future posts.

George Kissinger retired from the Minneapolis Community Development Agency in 2006, having worked on projects such as the acquisition and restoration of the State, Orpheum, and Pantages theaters, the Schubert Theatre move, the Ivy Tower rehab, and the new Federal Reserve Bank.  He is a Viet Nam vet and retired Captain from the Naval Reserve.  More recently, George has served as captain of the restored Steamboat Minnehaha on Lake Minnetonka.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (128.5MB)

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Review and Compliance Cultural Resource Management Seminar presentation by Michelle Terrell of the Two Pines Resource Group.

A paved parking lot and the lawns of a city park hide from sight the remains of two of Minneapolis’ foremost breweries. In 1890, the John Orth and Germania breweries merged with two other breweries to form the Minneapolis Brewing Company (aka Grain Belt). This presentation will provide an overview of the history of these breweries and how documentary and archaeological research led to the identification and evaluation of these sites. It will also discuss how these significant discoveries are being integrated into development plans.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:35 — 95.9MB)

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This session will help preservationists, planners, managers and others become acquainted with the nuances of architectural style in order to be able to recognize key features in the field. It will explain how common, vernacular forms were distributed via pattern books, and describe styles from the Pre-Victorian, Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Modern eras.

Presented by Beth Wielde-Heidelberg, Urban & Regional Studies Institute, Minnesota State University, Mankato at Preserve Minnesota, the Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Faribault, MN.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19:02 — 175.2MB)

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:31 — 301.3MB)

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:30 — 301.3MB)

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Welcome and Opening Session at Preserve MN, the Statewide Preservation Conference. Presenter: Stephen Elliott, Director, Minnesota Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Officer.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:32 — 296.0MB)

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Audio of the complete session including panel discussion with questions.

Social media increases the ability to communicate with the public through the Internet. Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are easily accessible, simple to use and free. This panel presentation will explore how these media are being used through social networking to promote the cause of preservation.

Joe Hoover, SHPO staff, Moderator; Will O’Keefe, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota; Eli Pousson, Baltimore Heritage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:18 — 79.1MB)

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Part 3 of 3. Social media increases the ability to communicate with the public through the Internet. Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are easily accessible, simple to use and free. This panel presentation will explore how these media are being used through social networking to promote the cause of preservation.

Presenter: Eli Pousson, Baltimore Heritage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:07 — 189.3MB)

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Part 2 of 3.  Social media increases the ability to communicate with the public through the Internet. Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are easily accessible, simple to use and free. This panel presentation will explore how these media are being used through social networking to promote the cause of preservation.

Presenter: Will O’Keefe, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:57 — 35.2MB)

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Part 1 of 3. Social media increases the ability to communicate with the public through the Internet. Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are easily accessible, simple to use and free. This panel presentation will explore how these media are being used through social networking to promote the cause of preservation.

Presenter: Joe Hoover, SHPO staff

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:19 — 209.8MB)

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