Projects
Current projects
Location: West of Hwy 100 between Broadway Ave and Bottineau Blvd, on Lakeland Ave in Robbinsdale, MN
Eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places: Under review (previously eligible)
Original Construction: 1940-41
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Proposed scope: Several phases of work have been undertaken to complete different work in the site. These include: Stone masonry repair at the overlook wall (top and piers at stairs), “beehive” oven, and rock garden trail at the E and of the rock garden. Reconstruction of stone picnic tables and benches from salvaged and new materials. Repairs to the rock garden pond walls and built-in benches.
Accessible walk to picnic table near the beehive. Accessible walk connecting Broadway bridge walk to Lakeland Ave and accessible parking space.
Vegetation removals including trees impacting rock garden and plants between near the new accessible picnic table. Interpretive sign. Potential volunteer involvement with ongoing weeding and new plantings.
Construction update: Work has been completed in three different projects in the summer of 2021 through 2023:
- Completed: Tree removal: 4 “volunteer” trees growing in the rock garden were removed in March 2021. Two of these trees were growing in paths and 2 were growing close to a bench built in the embankment.
- Completed: Stone picnic table restoration-Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps. The Corps members worked with a technical expert from Advanced Masonry Restoration to repoint two picnic table pads, clean off another pad, and rebuild one picnic table from salvaged stone in the rock garden. Work was completed in July 2021.
- Completed: Stone Mason Contract- Environmental Associates, Inc. was contracted to rebuild 10 picnic tables, re-point 9 pads, and repair and repoint the beehive. Work took place during the month of October 2021and then from May through June 2022. In addition, to the planned above, a flagstone base around the beehive was discovered and repointed, the top of the beehive was covered with a metal cap and woven wire covers were added to the firebox openings to protect the beehive from future damage. The overlook wall along the parking area was cleaned, the top was repointed, and end piers were rebuilt.
- Under Construction-May-June 2023: One more phase of work is underway focusing on safety and accessibility. Work includes: Repointing the rock garden pond walls and benches, adding a new accessible walk along Broadway from the bridge to the parking area, with a loop into the picnic area to a new accessible picnic table near the beehive. Plantings between the new picnic table and bench in the rock garden and re-graded and seeded grass areas in the rock garden. A new interpretive sign will be installed near the parking bay.
Timeline: Summer 2021 through June 2023
Additional information: This site is intended to be conveyed to the City of Robbinsdale after work is completed. A full rehabilitation of the site and rock garden and garden fountains and pools is not planned by MnDOT.
The Robbinsdale Lions Club has submitted a permit for volunteer weeding at the site through 2023. For more information, visit robbinsdale.org/graeser-park or contact graeserpark@gmail.com.
Location: Hwy 14 about 1 mile south of intersection with Hwy 15 on east side of Minnesota river near New Ulm.
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places: Previously eligible. Goal of project will be to improve integrity to increase its potential for eligible status and re-evaluate the site.
Original Construction: 1938-39
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols
Constructed by: National Youth Administration, a federal New Deal work relief program during the depression.
Project background: This project will rehabilitate the New Ulm Spring Roadside Parking Area (Class IV Rest Area), which is part of the Historic Roadside Property Program. In the late 1990s, the site was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Properties, but in a 2014 re-evaluation, was determined not eligible. The loss of eligibility was mainly for reasons of deterioration since the previous review. This project goal is to re-establish the integrity of the site and improve its potential for eligibility. This is the only remaining WPA-era wayside in this part of the state (MnDOT District 7) and one of only 3 remaining sites in the Historic Roadside Property Program which were built around springs. All of them have been capped or disconnected. All work will follow the Secretary of Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Project scope: Repair and repoint (removing and replacing mortar) the stone wall, replacing the gravel walk with a concrete walk, repaving the parking area, re-introducing the curbed island with right in/right out one-way access. Rebuild natural surface trails, stone steps and two picnic areas above the wall. Interpretation will be added, and ADA accessibility improved by adding an accessible picnic table at the south end of the wall and curb ramps on the walkway. The spring outlet pipe will be stabilized, but water will not be restored due to contamination of the water source.
Vegetation management will include strategic removal of invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and invasive perennial plants such as garlic mustard, along with selective tree removal and pruning to open views of the river valley from the picnic areas on the hill.
Timeline: Work began in spring 2022. Work will be concurrent (but is a separate project) with road reconstruction on Hwy 14, called SP 5202-58. The site will be closed during construction as the Hwy 14 construction will close the road.
Construction updates: The project was delayed a year from the original 2021 construction due to a bidding problem.
Construction began in May 2022 and will be complete in September 2022. The site will not re-open until the road construction is complete in 2023. Please see updates for SP 5202-58.
Location: Hwy 6 approximately 3.3 miles south of intersection with CSAH 28 near Remer, MN.
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places: Previously eligible
Original Construction: 1939-40
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols
Constructed by: CCC Camp F-46
Project background: The log changing structure at Willow Lake was part of a large site development that is only partly visible today. The Rest Area, which has a stunning rock overlook wall, and stone curbed island to park along, once had a viewing tower, picnic area, and the changing structure was situated along the shore where a swimming area was established. An historic road, called “the Old Tote Road” follows the shore and connected to the overlook to the southern part of the site, which now has a DNR constructed and operated boat launch.
Project scope: The project will stabilize the log changing structure. The structure will be partially dis-assembled and sound logs and wood parts will be re-used. New logs will match the original materials. The structure will have secured windows and doors. The intent is not to use the structure, but to preserve it. Interpretation will show the interior and describe the site.
Timeline:This project has been delayed and is anticipated to be completed over the fall of 2023 through June 2024.
Location: Hwy 2, 1 mile east of intersection with Hwy 59, near Erskine, MN.
Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1972-4
Designed by: Virgil Siddens, architect and MHD
Constructed by: MHD
Project background: Oak Lake Rest Area was evaluated in a study published in 2020 and was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for its outstanding early modern rest area design and its intact setting. Three other sites share the same building designs; Lake Hansel, Lake Latoka and Burgen Lake. Only Oak Lake and Burgen Lake remain, but Burgen will require significant capacity additions, being on I-94 near Alexandria. Oak Lake, in a relatively quiet location in the northwest corner of the state, has remained nearly fully intact. A site rehabilitation will be completed in 2023. A building rehabilitation will follow in the future. Both rehabilitations will follow the Secretary of Interior Standards to retain historic integrity.
Project scope: The project will rebuild parking pavements, walks, trails, and site furnishings. Two picnic shelters will be rehabilitated. Unique wood directional signage will be rebuilt and plantings will be replaced.
Timeline: The site project has been awarded and began in April 2023. The completion date is in October 2023.
Public use impacts: Portions of the site will be closed in phases. The first Phase will be closed to trucks. The second Phase will have no building access and portable toilets will be provided for the public. The third phase will have shared parking for cars and trucks. Please follow signage on TH 2 for closures and parking changes.
Location: Hwy 301 west of Hwy 10 North Side, adjacent to Minnesota Correctional Facility St. Cloud
In Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Minnesota State Reformatory for Men Historic District (SH-SCC-013)
Original construction: ca. 1930
Designed by: not documented
Constructed by: WPA-MHD
Project description: In conjunction with the reconstruction of TH 301, this historic retaining wall is the edge of a National Register Listed Historic District encompassing the St. Cloud Correctional Facility (Prison). The cobblestone wall has grey granite caps which match the stone of the correctional facility buildings. The stone was quarried within the facility itself where the quarries remain as part of the exercise yard.
Project scope: The road will be reconstructed, storm water facilities repaired, and the walls will be reconstructed. The tall section of the wall will be rebuilt with a concrete core and stone facing. Shorter walls will be rebuilt as original fieldstone walls.
Project timeline: This project is planned to be constructed in the 2023 construction season.
Construction updates May 2023: This project has been awarded and is underway. Please follow detours as directed during the project. Only emergency traffic and MCF-SC service vehicles are allowed in the construction area.
Recently completed projects
Recent projects are completed, but still under contractor warranty. These projects may still have short duration warranty work and small repairs completed.
Location: Hwy 212/23 on west side of MN River south of 212 river bridge in Granite Falls, MN.
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (under re-evaluation)
Original Construction: 1938
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols
Constructed by: Minnesota Department of Highways Staff and federal relief program workers.
2021 project scope: Granite Falls Overlook Rehabilitation; the overlook wall was repointed (replace deteriorated mortar between stones), benches were repaired, walkways were repaired, the gravel plaza surface was replaced with concrete, and stone curb was repointed, new trees were planted, and an interpretative sign was added. All work followed the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
At a separate location in Granite Falls Veteran’s Memorial Park, Repointing on the south wing wall of the entrance to Granite Falls Memorial Park on Hwy 67 was completed. This part of the entry structure is in the MnDOT right of way.
This project was completed in September 2021. Ongoing warranty and maintenance activities will be ongoing for 1-2 years.
Reads Landing is Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Location: Hwy 61 approximately 9 miles southeast of Lake City Concourse
Original Construction: 1939
Designed by: A.R. Nichols, attributed
Constructed by: National Youth Administration
2020 Rehabilitation included Work will include the rehabilitation of the brick and stone overlook, plaque repairs and restoring a stone retaining wall on the upland side of the overlook.
Lake City is Eligible for Listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Location: Hwy 61 in Lake City south of W. Elm Street.
Original Construction: 1938-40
Designed by: A. R. Nichols, attributed
Constructed by: National Youth Administration (1940 phase)
2020 Rehabilitation included repointing and stone replacement at the stone overlook and walls adjacent to Hwy 61, repair of flagstone paving areas and some sidewalk replacements. Interpretive signage was restored.
Eligible for listing on the National register of Historic Places
Whipholt RPA
Location: Hwy 200 about a half-mile east of 16th Ave (CR2108) on the south shore of Leech Lake
Original Construction: 1941, resumed and completed 1951
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, attributed
Constructed by: WPA and Minn. Dept. of Highways
2020 Project scope: included restoration of the stone overlook wall, improve interpretive elements and signage, repave the access road and parking area (within the existing paved area limits) and add plantings , picnic tables and a portable toilet screen.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places under: Gooseberry Falls State Park CCC/Rustic Style Historic Resources, an Historic District, as a contributing feature in 1989
Original Construction: 1936-40
Designed by: Edward W. Barber
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
2019 Rehabilitation Project completed safety and accessibility improvements to the historic concourse and bridge overlook and repointed the historic concourse structure (repointing is the replacement of the mortar between the stones). The concourse plaza and overlook plaza was cleared of vegetation and gravel placed in original parking area with the Gitchi Gami trail running through is lined by trees and grasses to distinguish it as new. The bridge monument was moved from the plaza to the north side of the river. The Upper plaza (former bridge abutment) was paved in concrete with a planting bed separating it from the road level gravel concourse.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Pine-Hickory (PDF) (link to inventory form)
Original Construction: 1938
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: National Youth Administration (NYA)
2019 Project included restoration of several historic stone features, repaving the parking area with accessibility improvements to the picnic area, portable toilets and addition of a new fishing pier will be installed by the DNR on Little Pine Lake. An existing paved trail was repaved to a fire ring on Little Pine Lake, while other trails to an overlook, fire ring and walk in canoe launch on Hickory Lake remain turf.
Read more about the site on this link to the new interpretive sign:
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1939
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect and National Park Service
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
2019 Project included rehabilitation of the stone bridge, stone bridge abutments, flagstone walks and guardrail stone wall. The bridge deck and approach lanes were reconstructed and an integral Wyoming guardrail will be installed.