Commercial Historic District Design Guidelines for the City of Litchfield, Minnesota

Thomas R. Zahn and Associates, LLC

From introduction: "This publication provides building preservation and rehabilitation information for property owners within the downtown Litchfield Historic District. One of downtown Litchfield's greatest resources is its unique concentration of historic and architecturally interesting buildings. This manual is designed to demonstrate how using guidelines can often uncover and preserve a building's hidden historic or architectural value. The Litchfield Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) and City Staff have answered many questions from property owners about improvements or repairs to their buildings since the establishment of the Litchfield HPC, ranging from the proper treatment for doors, windows and signs, to dealing with deteriorating masonry. The written guidelines and visual examples within this manual are meant to aid those desiring to reuse or recycle an historic property. The illustrations, comprehensive in nature, represent the ideal. However at times, due to financial constraints, a property owner may incorporate only part of the plan or undertake long-term phasing of the plan, which is also discussed in this manual. This guide is part of a continuing effort to encourage downtown building improvements. It provides information on programs designed to encourage the rehabilitation and preservation of Litchfield's commercial architecture. The City has resources available including: the "Preservation Briefs," National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior to assist property owners with restoration and rehabilitation projects; and copies of early insurance maps which in "plan view" map the evolution and growth of Litchfield's commercial district." Project funding was provided in part by a 2009 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Litchfield (project number MN-09-006) administered by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 27-09-21829) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Litchfield, Minnesota is a Certified Local Government.

Commercial Historic District Design Guidelines for the City of Litchfield, Minnesota

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