Minneapolis preservation panel declines to endorse delisting of fire-damaged Aaron Carlson factory, asks state for more information

City preservation staff told the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on Nov. 10 that the Aaron Carlson Corporation factory at 1505 Central Avenue NE has been severely damaged by fire and that the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has proposed removing the property from the National Register of Historic Places.

Rob Skolecki, senior city planner in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), summarized SHPO’s 10/15/2025 memo and the property’s 2020 National Register nomination, which cited the site’s wartime manufacturing role. Skolecki said the building was “significantly damaged by a large fire” on Sept. 7, 2025 and that SHPO’s materials and a supporting photo were included in the packet. He said SHPO’s view is that “the qualities which caused the property to be listed have been lost or destroyed,” and staff recommended the commission transmit a letter reflecting that determination to SHPO. (State review board materials included a post‑fire photo.)

Commissioners pressed staff for more evidence. “That was the only photo that was in the report — were there others?” Commissioner Rodriguez asked, saying a single image made it hard to judge which parts of the complex remain and how much integrity survives. Several commissioners suggested it might be possible to retain or separately protect individual elements, such as the site’s smokestack, even if other portions are damaged.

Andrea Burke, supervisor of CPED’s Historic Preservation Team, explained the commission’s role is advisory for SHPO’s process and that state rules can trigger an environmental assessment (EAW) for demolition unless an HPC review applies or the property is formally judged non‑contributing. Burke confirmed the state review board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2025 and urged commissioners to finalize comments that evening if they wished them considered.

After a round of discussion about incomplete documentation and the desire to avoid a blanket delisting without fuller evidence, Commissioner Melblum moved — with language the commission amended to emphasize lack of sufficient information — that the Heritage Preservation Commission “cannot recommend that the Aaron Carlson Corporation factory located at 1505 Central Avenue NE no longer retain sufficient historic integrity to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places” and directed staff to transmit a letter summarizing the commission’s opinions and comments to the State Historic Preservation Officer. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

The record indicates the city did not deem the remaining structures to be in imminent danger of collapse and has not pursued emergency demolition; the cause of the Sept. 7 fire remains under investigation. SHPO materials, the state review board timetable, and the limited photographic documentation provided to the commission were central to commissioners’ calls for more information before endorsing delisting.

Next steps: staff will transmit the commission’s comments to the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Officer as requested; SHPO and the National Park Service will complete their review and decide whether to remove the property from the National Register.