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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-10 PACKET 05.C.Cottage j Grove " ere Pdde and P , OSP edtY Meet TO: Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation FROM: John M. Burbank, Senior Planner DATE: September 6, 2013 RE: "Shepard's Woods" Background The attached information is a press release from the Dodge Nature Center related to "Shepard's Wood's" that was received on September P Since a visit to the City by Mr. Jason Sanders Executive Director of the Dodge Nature Center earlier this spring, city staff has been crossing their fingers that the transfer of "Shepard's Woods" from the Wilder foundation to the Dodge Nature Center would come to fruition. Research and historic evidence shows that they have proven to be great stewards of the property currently in their charge as well as excellent environmental educators to all ages of people from the region. The City's 2030 Comprehensive plan identifies the land use of the property as parks and Private Open space which would allow for uses similar to the new owners current operations. The press release referenced some of the historic components of the site, and the City's Historic Preservation Committee previously has indicated a desire to work with the new owners to complete additional documentation and education related to the sites history. Neither Staff or the Council have sat down with Mr. Sanders and other representatives from Dodge Nature Center since they took possession of the property, but plan to do so as they set their stage for future operation within Cottage Grove. If you have additional questions, I would suggest that you contact Mr. Sanders. Recommendation That the ACHP reaffirm the direction to staff to continue the process of discussions on the fate of the property, and to prepare the preliminary information necessary for the review and issuance of a certificate of appropriateness related to the adaptive re -use of the "Shepard's Woods" property as needed or warranted. Below is a press release announcing Dodge Nature Center's recent acquisition of a new property in Cottage Grove: Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center 365 Wes t Mari e enter.or Av g jV 365 Wes Mari Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55n8 DODGE Phone: 6 5 1 .455.453 1 Fax: 6 5 1 .455.2575 NATURE CENTER MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Jason Sanders 6 5 1 .455.453 1 isandersododgenaturecenter.org A New Acquisition Provides Opportunities for Expanded Impact Through the generosity of Mrs. Constance Shepard Otis, a 14o acre historic property in Cottage Grove will be added to the Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center holdings to be available for future generations to use. This addition is according to Mrs. Otis's wish that the Farm be preserved for charitable purposes. The property is protected by a conservation easement that prohibits development. Purchased in ig19 by Saint Paul residents Roger B. Shepard and Katherine K. Shepard, the property was used as a summer residence and family farm. The main residence, farm house and farm buildings were designed by nationally renowned architect Alfred Hopkins. The Shepard family used the property for decades. Roger Shepard died in 1977, and his wife Katherine passed away in 1gg1 at the age of ioi. Their daughter Constance Shepard Otis inherited the property and continued to use it as a summer residence. Having spent every summer of her life there, Mrs. Otis wanted to ensure that the natural beauty of the property was preserved for future generations in essentially the same form as originally envisioned and created by her parents. This expansion of Dodge Nature Center reaches a new area and audience for the organization, broadening possible program offerings and outreach. The expansion will be managed in a gradual and deliberate manner with facilities and staff being added in accordance with growth from the new property and its operations. The Cottage Grove property is a long term asset to be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the community and future plans will be addressed in a strategic plan process that anticipates years to come for the property. Expansion through the transfer of the Shepard Farm has the potential to increase the number of children and adults touched by Dodge. The location of the Shepard property in Cottage Grove will introduce Dodge Nature Center to a new market and is close enough to the existing nature center to benefit from its established reputation. "Dodge Nature Center is very excited about this new opportunity. Acceptance of the Shepard Property is a good strategic fit with the mission, vision, and strategies of the Dodge Nature Center. Dodge can put the property to very good use in keeping the wishes of the Shepard Family," says Jason Sanders, Dodge Nature Center Executive Director. This property was gifted to the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation and Wilder worked with the family to identify a nonprofit with programmatic uses for the property that closely matched the charitable use of the property intended by Mrs. Otis. Mrs. Otis' late husband, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice James C. Otis, Jr., was a former Wilder Trustee and her father, Roger B. Shepard, also served on Wilder's Board of Directors. Her great grandfather, David C. Shepard, was a partner with Amherst H. Wilder in launching Merchants National Bank in 1872. The Dodge Nature Center is an environmental education and habitat restoration organization located on 32z acres in the heart of West St. Paul and Mendota Heights. Founded in 1967 by Olivia Irvine Dodge, the organization was one of the first nature centers in the state of Minnesota and is recognized nationally as a leader in environmental education. To learn more about the Dodge Nature Center visit www.dodgenaturecenter.org The Wilder Foundation is a non - profit dedicated to meeting the critical human services needs of children, families, and older adults through health, education and housing services, research and community building activities. Wilder has worked to improve the lives of east metro residents since 1906, and adapts to address emerging needs. www.wilder.org Respectfully, Alex Matzinger Dodge Nature Center Development Associate 651.789.5201 "Inspiring commitment to the thoughtful care of the environment." Become a Dodge Member today at www. dodgenaturecenter.org /Support /Memberships /.