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Councilmember Beyer stated she really has a problem with the building remaining on that <br />site. She added that it was built as a school house - not a town hall. Some time ago <br />Council asked for an appraisal to be done and it concluded that the value was considerably <br />less than what it would cost to fix it up. She questioned if it wouldn't lose it's historical <br />value if it was renovated and rented out. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated it would lose it's historical designation if it were moved even a foot. <br />As far as historical value, it does not lose any in that some modem reuse of the buildings <br />are expected by the State Historical Society. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer questioned if it wouldn't be a better value historically if it was put <br />back as the original school house and moved to the school site - probably around the nature <br />trail. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson offered that he had contacted Mr. Peichel, Principal of Ramsey <br />Elementary School, about this same idea and he was informed that Mr. Peichel's <br />supervisors were not interested in that. <br /> <br />Mayor Hardin commented that the true historic significance of this building is lost if it is <br />moved. It was built in 1892 and is one of the few remaining brick school houses left in the <br />State of Minnesota. "To lose it would be a tragedy. We need to maintain our past and <br />heritage". <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer suggested that keeping it for it's historical value is fine; however, <br />she felt it should be renovated back to the old school house. <br /> <br />Mayor Hardin agreed that could be done. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer stated that it seems the recommendation is to rent it out. <br /> <br />Mayor Hardin stated that the City would have control of the property and could decide who <br />would be the rental agent. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer reiterated her feeling that it is not good to leave the building at it's <br />present site. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman concurred with Councilmember Beyer and added that it looks <br />"out of step". He commented on the amount of money it vail cost to fix it up and added <br />that it's a "waste of the taxpayers money". <br /> <br />Mayor Hardin read a letter from Jean Smith and Vickie Wendel of the Anoka County <br />Historical Society and also one from Mr. Robert Johnson expressing support for <br />conserving the history of the building. He asked that the letters be included in the minutes <br />as public record. They are labeled Exhibits "A" and "B". <br /> <br />Mike Auspos, 15525 Hematite Street NW, Ramsey, questioned the historical value of the <br />building after you use it for rental property in a commercial area. He suggested the value to <br />him is how our forefathers were taught and what went on inside that building. If it's <br />moved to a different site, in a park or whatever, and used as a historical place, that would <br />be okay. However, turning it into an insurance building, or something on that order, that <br />has no historical significance. If we are going to truly make it something historical, we <br />should not destroy it by making it into a pizza shop. If the State Historical Society then <br />refuses to pay for any renovation, we could do that with the sale of the land, etc. <br /> <br />City Council/November 28, 1995 <br /> Page 5 of 13 <br /> <br /> <br />