The city acquired the original Sweeny Marina and houses in 2019 and demolished the two non-contributing structures.  The city council has reviewed design concepts at several meetings and workshops since then.

The Schroeder House and grounds including the adjacent Livery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The rehabilitation of the structure will use the Secretary of the the Interior's Standard for the Treatment of Historic Properties for developing the plans for the property. The design standards have been developed from experience on thousands of properties that have been renovated through the program and through the National Park Service's experience in dealing with its own properties that it maintains through out the country.

The proposed team is Confluence for landscape design; Miller Dunwiddie for architecture; and SEH for civil engineering.  Confluence and Miller Dunwoody developed the original design concepts and reuse ideas for the property.  Miller Dunwiddie is an award winning architectural firm that specializes in historic preservation projects and their work has included the Basilica of St. Mary, Historic Glensheen Estate, Grant County Courthouse, and Mabel Tainer Center for the Arts.

The project will provide construction documents to improve the Schroeder House, associated Livery building and the surrounding grounds. The project boundary is described as north of Bluff Ave. E., South of the Minnesota River Valley State Trail, West of Minnesota St. N ROW., and East of Market St. N. Improvements include updates to the interior, exterior, and mechanical systems of both buildings as well as grading and drainage improvements. Additional site improvements include a small parking lot, ADA improvement, outdoor gathering space design, landscaping, fence replacement, and other site furnishings and definition of necessary amenities. The design team will work with the city's Construction Manager as Agent. Loeffler, to provide estimates during the design process and to also ensure that the proposed construction standards are clear for when the project is bid.

Final design drawings and bid documents will be brought back to the Council once the project is sent out for bid.  There substantial cost savings to undertake both the House and Livery renovation at the same time. The Livery has been deteriorating and time is of the essence for both properties to be rehabilitated.

Staff will work with potential operators for reuse of the house and will bring forward a proposal once plans are complete.

The Livery will provide some public access to the history of the area and could be used in conjunction with the house for some events.

Confluence and the consultants have agreed to hold their fees to the January 13, 2023 proposal.