Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC)

Our mission statement is:

…to serve and promote new and existing business in the downtown commercial district
…to improve and maintain a beautiful place for economic development and revitalization through the facilitation of building standards
…to provide access to resources for such building owners

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Many of Sleepy Eye's downtown buildings are original and of significant historic relevance.  The Committee strongly encourages owners and potential owners to preserve and restore these buildings with this in mind.
Preservation - For buildings that have experienced little change through time
Preservation is essentially retaining and properly maintaining the existing historic aspects of a building.  Buildings that retain and reflect their historic character serve as the backbone among new and altered structures. 
Restoration - For buildings that have architectural significance, but have gone through some change
Sleepy Eye has buildings that are historically and/or architecturally significant, but have been altered.  Restoration is the process of returning the structure to its original appearance. 
Renovation - For buildings that have been modified extensively
Many buildings benefit from some degree of renovation using modern materials and techniques that convey the character of missing original features.  But it is important to preserve the integrity of an aged building.  Renovation often involves the undoing of previous generations of maintenance, such as removing layers of old paint, peeling off applied wood siding, and uncovering original floors.   This process involves stripping away one or more layers of "modernization".
Recycle - For buildings that have outlived their original use
New uses can be found for single purpose older buildings.  Railway stations, warehouses, hotels, and banks are all examples of single-use structures.  Here, the challenge is to recycle buildings, whose original use is obsolete, by finding new uses that add to the economic vitality of downtown.
Redesign - For buildings that are sound but do not enhance the streetscape
Inevitably there will be a certain number of buildings which are basically sound, but do not enhance the historic character the city wishes to express.  However, it is important that the new facade appear appropriate and compatible in the context of the overall streetscape.
New Construction - For filling gaps in the streetscape
An important element in an historic downtown is the quality of infill construction.  The desired effect of new construction in a district is to complement existing structures.  It is important that new construction not be allowed to dominate or overpower its more historic neighbors.  Its basic design elements (size, mass, material, color) should be compatible with surrounding structures.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST.pdf
File Size: 63 kb
File Type: pdf
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STORE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS.pdf
File Size: 58 kb
File Type: pdf
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Sleepy Eye DRC Program Brochure.pdf
File Size: 199 kb
File Type: pdf
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DRC CONTACT INFORMATION.pdf
File Size: 94 kb
File Type: pdf
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Contact Information:
Building Inspector:                     
Bernie Wenner
Home Phone: 507-794-5505 (leave message)
or Cell: 507-920-5043
Chamber of Commerce:
Christina Andres - 115 Second Ave NE
Office: 507-794-4731
email: director@sleepyeyechamber.com
Financial Information:
Economic Development Authority            
Kurk Kramer
Office: 507-794-5636
email: eda@sleepyeye-mn.com
Fire Department:
Ron Zinniel, Fire Chief
123 Second Avenue SW               
507-920-7985
Police Department:
Matt Andres, Chief of Police
200 Main St East
Office: 507-794-3711
email: sepd@sleepyeye-mn.com
Public Utilities:
Mike Hardin
200 Main St East
Office: 507-794-4371
email: mharding@sleepyeye-mn.com
 Zoning:
Vicky Kral
200 Main St East
Office: 507-794-3731
email: vkral@sleepyeye-mn.com
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