City of Pierre Historic Preservation Plan

The Midwestern Company; Gates, Mary

From mission statement: "This document is a key planning device for elected officials, city staff, community residents, business owners, and anyone with an interest in preserving the history of Pierre. Adopting and following a comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan will ensure efficient use of public and private resources for local historic preservation. Action items are intended for full implementation within 3-5 years. The City of Pierre has a rich history that is chronicled in its historic resources. Properties identified as high priority for preservation include the Upper Pierre Street area, the downtown commercial district, the American Legion Cabin, and the State Capitol building and grounds. When local residents are asked about the history of Pierre, the vast river history of the area is commonly mentioned. Other significant elements of Pierre’s history include American Indian village sites and old forts, fur trading, Lewis & Clark, steamboats, the vigorous fight for state capital designation, federal government relief projects of the 1930s, schools, St. Mary’s Hospital, the DM&E Railroad Bridge, the Oahe Dam and Power Plant, public river-front parks, and the Pierre Hill Historic Residential District. The most important issue affecting preservation of Pierre’s historic properties today is education, and the second most important public concern involves funding for historic rehabilitation and maintenance. Many local residents are excited about the newly created Downtown and Waterfront Development Master Plan, yet downtown business and property owners are concerned about sustaining viable access to their clients and customers during construction and fearful about how major infrastructure improvements will be funded. Parking in the downtown areas is a serious concern for potential developers. Other current challenges include a common misconception that new materials are more cost effective or energy efficient than historic materials and a lack of knowledgeable contractors who enjoy working on historic properties. The need for appropriately enforced design review and special zoning for historic districts is widely accepted. Public support for downtown as a tourist destination attraction is very strong. Fully occupied historic buildings, plentiful parking, attractive landscaping, carefully designed signage and circulation routes work together to promote downtown. Phasing out downtown offices to encourage greater mixed-use development is highly recommended. Loft apartments, a community arts center, unique shops for local artists and designers, restaurants, and other specialty retail businesses improve the local quality of life and accentuate the economic vitality and long-term stability of both Pierre and Fort Pierre." Project funding was provided in part by a 2007 Preserve America grant to the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 45-07-PA-3034) administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

City of Pierre Historic Preservation Plan

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