Dinkytown Commercial Historic District design guidelines
We're creating new design guidelines for the Dinkytown Commercial Historic District.
Overview
History
The Minneapolis City Council designated the Dinkytown Commercial Historic District in 2015. The district is important for its streetcar era from 1899 to 1929.
- Retail grew around streetcar stops. People outside of downtown could walk to stores from their homes.
- The University of Minnesota also grew during this time, and businesses emerged to serve the University community. The buildings form the Dinkytown Commercial Historic District today.
- The district is centered around the intersection of 4th St SE and 14th Ave SE. It has 35 properties.
Design guidelines
Design guidelines help ensure that the historic district retains its historic character. They affect changes to:
- Buildings
- Structures
- Landscapes
View the draft design guidelines and a map of the district
Design guidelines process
- Staff completed a draft in October 2023. We held two community meetings to discuss the project and the draft.
- Staff revised the document and presented the draft to the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) on February 13, 2024, for discussion.
- The draft has been sent to the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office for review.
- Staff will bring the final draft to the HPC for adoption in a public hearing by the summer of 2024. Members of the public can give testimony at that time.
The Meneilley Block
The 1903 image shows the Meneilley Block (400 14th Ave. SE). It first appeared in the Minneapolis Journal on October 23, 1903.
The caption reads, "On the corner of Fourteenth Avenue SE and Fourth street stands this large, beautiful building, the Meneilley block. It has seventy feet of glass front and is the finest grocery in the city."
We show an image of the same building in 2023.
| 1903 | 2023 |
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Community feedback
We accepted online feedback about the design guidelines through Dec. 1, 2023. Community members also could give feedback at engagement sessions.
Location
Online meeting
Date
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023
Presentation and notes
Location
Arvonne Fraser Library
1222 4th St. SE
Minneapolis
Date
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023
Presentation and notes
Contact us
Rob Skalecki
Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415