Tag: Architecture Minneapolis (2)

Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue

LONG-TERM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE REVENUE Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue, (LTFM) program was established in the 2015 Education Act.  Intended for school districts, intermediate districts, other cooperatives, and charter schools. New legislation was passed during a special session in July 2015 that provides revenue increases for school districts not currently eligible to participate in the Alternative Facilities Bonding and Levy program. Legislation requires that districts develop a 10 Year Facilities Maintenance Plan adopted by its board.  The program funds deferred maintenance expenditures for projects which are attached to or part of a building and replaced on an equal exchange basis. PHASED  Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue includes a three year phased approach beginning in FY 2017 FY 2017 Districts will receive up to $193/pupil FY 2018 Districts will receive up to $292/pupil FY 2019 Districts will receive up to $380/pupil Figures are prorated for districts with an average building age of 35 years or less. This program replaces the former Health and Safety and Deferred Maintenance revenue programs and associated funding. The LTFM Revenue is an equalized levy, which means the State of Minnesota will pay for a portion of the revenue depending on the district’s property value.  The equalizing factor is set at 123% of the State average Adjusted Net Tax capacities. KEY ELEMENTS Equalizing Factor high enough that a significant number of districts qualify for aid. Set as a % of state average ANTC/pupil. If property value increases statewide the equalizing factor will also increase. Agricultural Land in a district is not counted when calculating district’s value/pupil. ALLOWED USES Deferred Capital Expenditures and maintenance projects necessary to prevent further erosion of facilities. Increasing accessibility of school facilities. Health + Safety Projects under MN Statues (123B.57) NOT ALLOWED USES  Construction of New Facilities, Remodeling Existing Facilities or the Purchase of Portable Classrooms […]

Different Preservation Standards

What does it mean to “preserve” a historic building? A. Preserve all the battle scars of the building’s history as we see it today. B. Restore the glory days and make the building look as it once did C. Keep history alive by continuing to use the building in new ways D. Bring back the dead and rebuild history that would otherwise be forgotten And the answer is… E. All of the above. Options A through D above refer to different WAYS that a building can be preserved. Each treatment option corresponds to a written set of guidelines and standards, compliments of the Secretary of the Interior division of the National Park Service. Any of the options may be the right fit for your historic preservation project, but you can only choose one. Review the descriptions below and identify which treatment best aligns to your preservation intentions. A.   Preservation Option A sets the foundation of best practices for all of the options: Preserve as much material history as possible Retain the historic character Recognize the physical record of time, place, and use Save special materials, features, and craftsmanship Work gently, don’t use harsh chemicals or tough treatments Protect archeological resources This option was ideal for preserving the Samuel B. Strait House by repointing the original 1857 stone-walls to maintain and protect the building for another generation. B.   Restoration Restoration follows the same principals as Option A, except that all work is done to preserve a specific time in the building’s history. For example, if someone added a window after the chosen period of significance, then Option B would call for infilling the opening. This option was ideal for restoring the R.F. Jones (Longfellow) House interior after it was altered for use as a public library and then damaged by […]