The city acquired the former Sweeney Marina property at the end of 2019. As part of that acquisition, the city purchased four existing structures: a 1950s small house; an out-building associated with the former Schroeder Brick operation (out house and livery - also used as a workshop); the Schroeder House; and another home dating from the turn of the century.

The Schroeder House and the house to the east had been subdivided into duplexes.  The out building was used for tool and machine storage associated with the marina.  The 1950s house was rented out as a small single family home.

At the time the city was contemplating the property acquisition, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified that the city had encroached upon Lions Park with a fire station, drainage channel and roadway that had split off a part of the park.  None of these changes had been approved by the DNR or the National Park Service.  The DNR was involved since the city had used DNR and federal funding to make improvements to Lions Park over the years and had signed restrictive covenants prohibiting changes to the park without prior approval of the agencies.

The Schroeder House and the surrounding properties were used as replacement park land for land lost to the changes in Lions Park.  Without the replacement land, the city could be prohibited from receiving other state and federal funding.  The city amended the plat for the park to include the drainage way that is now part of the Vierling Greenway Trail and modified the fire station to only include the building and made the parking lot available to the public.

As part of the state and federal compliance, the city retained Confluence to prepare a reuse plan for the Schroder House and surrounding property.  Confluence retained the 106 Group to complete a state and federal environmental review of the property including an extensive archeological and historic preservation review of the buildings.  The State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service concurred that the Schroeder House and the surrounding land and out building were significant to be considered for listing on the National Register of Historic Places because of the architecture of the buildings and the history of the brickyard and its impact on Shakopee.  The houses to the east and west were found to have no historic or architectural significance.  This was a similar conclusion that the city found in the "red book" A Walking Tour of Historic Shakopee completed in 2007 by the Shakopee 150th Committee and the Shakopee Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.  The book listed the Schroeder House and out building as historic/architecturally significant.

Confluence also contracted with Miller Dunwiddie, a Minneapolis firm that has worked with the Minnesota Historical Society and others on historic preservation projects throughout the state.  Their work has included working with the City of Minnetonka on the Charles H. Burwell Homestead, the Oliver Kelley Farmstead for the Minnesota Historical Society in Elk River and the 63,000 square foot James J. Hill House in St. Paul. 

The firm was retained to complete a preservation and reuse study of the Schroeder House and out building that included noting necessary repairs and bringing the buildings into compliance with current building codes while meeting the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.  They prepared the necessary paperwork and scope for application for a State Historic Preservation Grant.  This would include installing fire sprinklers in both buildings.  The second floor of the Schroeder House would not be used for public access since it would not be ADA compliant and installing an elevator is not practicable.  The 106 Group is in the process of completing a National Register Nomination for the site.

Architects from the firm measured and photographed the buildings and documented issues and concerns.  They also looked at ways the buildings could be reused and working with Confluence, developed a concept plan for the buildings and the surrounding park property.

The Schroeder House could be used as an event space as would the out building.  Their initial recommendation is that the city work on grants for some of the rehabilitation work and then have a private party in cooperation with the city operate the property as a unique event space for corporate meetings, special events and open for community use, similar to how rooms at the community center are currently used.

The historic streetscape would be restored with a new replica fence and parking would be provided for both the buildings and the park.

The entire site would be incorporated into the Shakopee Riverfront Cultural Trail, a copy of which is attached.  The brickyard and access to the river are included as a historic point in the report. 

There are a number of ways the public would be able to experience the historic brickyard while also accessing the Minnesota River for recreational use, especially for kayaks. There is an existing boat ramp that will be repaved. There is also a portion of the property on the east side that has an open space and wet lands that could feature a walkway to observe the large number of nesting birds found in the area, including eagles.

The consultants are completing final cost estimates for repair and site development that will be included in the upcoming Capital Improvement Program for Council discussion.