Waseca wants to go historic

By Brian Ojanpa
The Free Press

WASECA Sat, May 17 2008

— Some neighbors in Waseca want to capitalize on their stately locale by having it officially deemed historic.
Four homeowners on East Elm Avenue have petitioned to have their properties declared a Historic Preservation District.
As such, the homes could be eligible for state grants and tax incentives to help maintain exteriors in historically appropriate manners.
Pat Pearson, who lives with husband Mark in an 1898 Victorian-style home, said the push for a preservation district is timely because an impending Highway 14 bypass will funnel traffic around instead of through Waseca.
Highway 14 currently segues into Elm Avenue, the town’s main east-west corridor. Elm Avenue has long been noted for its array of sprawling older homes of differing architectural styles.
Waseca Historic Preservation Commission chairman Les Tlougan said the preservation district effort also ties in with new city marketing plans that include touting the community’s historic charms.
“The timing is right. This would open some windows for us,” Tlougan said of potential benefits that could be accrued by gaining Historic Preservation District status.

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