10.a Scandia Heritage Alliance - Heritage Partnership Grant Request Staff Report
Date of Meeting: January 16, 2024
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Scandia Heritage Alliance Heritage Partnership Grant Request
Background:
The City has worked with the Scandia Heritage Alliance (Alliance) to reconstruct the historic
Water Tower Barn on the ballfield site just south of the Community Center. In June, the City
received a $2.2 million grant from the State for this project, which is 50% of the total project
cost. The City has five years to sign the grant agreement and four more years to complete the
construction. The Alliance continues to work on fundraising for the remaining project costs.
Issue:
The Water Tower Barn project includes more than the reconstruction of the barn. An
amphitheater, splash pad, and a network of trails connect the Alliance property to the
Community Center and the City-owned t-ball fields along Oakhill Road N. These trails include
paved and woodchip paths, a wetland boardwalk, and a scenic overlook. All while providing a
walking and bicycle connection to the Gateway Trail. Alliance representatives have already
received approval from the Council to work with City Staff on applying for an LCCMR grant to
construct the trail system.
The Alliance is also looking to apply for a grant through the Heritage Partnership Program. It is
a competitive grant program that funds capacity building and program development of history-
based partnerships throughout the State. The program aims to enhance access to Minnesota’s
history and cultural resources by supporting the creation and development of sustainable
history-based partnerships throughout the State. This grant would help fund the development
of interpretive displays on the wetland trail to share Native American history in Scandia-Marine
and the historic way of life of the Ojibwe and Dakota in our area.
The pre-application deadline is January 26, 2024. Final application is due by March 8, 2024. If
awarded, the funds must be spent within 12 months. No local match is required, but it is
encouraged, as it shows local buy-in and commitment to the partnership grant. I have included
a link to the grant page below.
Request:
The Alliance is asking the City to jointly file a Heritage Partnership Grant to receive funding to
research and develop interpretive displays on the wetland trail to share Native American
history in Scandia-Marine. I believe this grant request will cost between $50,000 and $60,000.
No local match is required, but it is encouraged.
If the funds are awarded and utilized, a follow-up grant application will likely be needed to fund
the construction of the signs.
Attachments:
https://www.mnhs.org/preservation/partnership