Council approves plan to restore Rosenmeier House

The Little Falls City Council has approved a pair of agreements intended to bring new life to the historic Burton-Rosenmeier House, including plans for a coffee shop, bookstore and other retail uses.

The council approved the agreements without opposition Monday, July 20, after discussing the proposal during a work session earlier in the evening.

Under the first agreement, the Friends of Linden Hill will assume management responsibility for the Burton-Rosenmeier property for a little less than five years. The organization already manages the city-owned Linden Hill Historic Estate.

The updated operating agreement will run for nearly 10 years for the Linden Hill campus. City Administrator Alex Smith said most of the agreement remains unchanged, with the addition of the Rosenmeier property being the primary difference.

The Friends of Linden Hill will be allowed to sublease the Rosenmeier House, although any sublease must receive City Council approval.

The second agreement allows TKO Properties, represented by Kathy Oschwald and Mia McCoy, to use the Rosenmeier House for a proposed coffee shop and bookstore.

Under the agreement, TKO Properties will pay $1,000 per month in rent and assume full responsibility for restoration expenses, utilities and ongoing maintenance. Any permanent improvements made to the city-owned property will become city property unless otherwise agreed.

The agreement also calls for the creation of an advisory committee to participate in discussions about the restoration work.

Smith said she toured the building with Oschwald and McCoy, along with the city’s building and health inspectors. She said they are aware of the work needed before the proposed business can open.

Among the initial priorities are repairing the front porch, adding an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible ramp and restroom, and installing a commercial kitchen. Smith said the ramp is expected to extend from the porch toward the parking area.

“They do have a number of items, appliances and such for the kitchen already, so they do have a good start of the plan in order to be operational,” Smith said.

Beyond those projects, Smith said the building’s interior is in relatively good condition and should require minimal additional work before the business can begin operating.

During the work session, Council Member Raquel Lundberg said she supported efforts to preserve the property but wanted a clearer restoration plan and a prioritized list of projects.

Lundberg questioned how far the agreement’s minimum $24,000 restoration investment would go, particularly when the building also needs a commercial kitchen, accessibility improvements and work on its windows and porch.

“What is complete restoration?” Lundberg asked. “Can we have a list of items that you plan to include in that restoration?”

Council Member Frank Gosiak agreed that a list of priorities would be helpful. He said the deteriorating front porch should be among the first projects undertaken.

“One of the main concerns always has been the front porch,” Gosiak said. “That’s going to have to be one of the number one priorities.”

Gosiak said he has long favored keeping the house under city ownership while finding a way to restore it.

“At least we’re moving toward something,” he said.

Council Member David Meyer noted that $24,000 is a minimum investment and said the project will also involve significant labor provided by those undertaking the restoration. He emphasized that TKO Properties, rather than the city, will be responsible for the work and expenses.

Oschwald told the council she has restored several older homes and buildings. She said it is difficult to establish a firm completion schedule because restoration projects often uncover unexpected problems.

“If you will just put your trust in me, I think that I can deliver,” Oschwald said. “I hope that you will all be pleasantly surprised.”

McCoy said participating in the preservation of the Rosenmeier House would be a privilege and that opening a business in Little Falls would fulfill a personal goal.

“For myself to have an opportunity to potentially be a part of the business community in Little Falls would be the completion of a dream for me,” she said.

Julia Mueller, executive director of the Friends of Linden Hill, said the agreements are the result of many hours of meetings and discussions focused on finding a sustainable future for the property.

Although the public may already associate the Rosenmeier House with Linden Hill, Mueller said the properties have been operated separately for nearly 20 years. She said bringing the Rosenmeier property under the Friends of Linden Hill could improve the house’s condition while contributing to the local economy.

“I believe that we have something that’s set before us that’s a real gift to Little Falls,” Mueller said.…Read more by Jeffrey Hage Morrison County Record