In today’s Untold Story of Central Minnesota, we look through the lenses of creativity, environment, and sustainability at what to do about vacant businesses around town as Arts & Cultural Heritage Producer Jeff Carmack talks with Melissa Wenzel from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Wenzel recently gave a presentation at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud concerning “Built Environment Sustainability” where she discussed the concepts of reuse and redevelopment as well as guidelines, ideas, and financial assistance opportunities for communities around Minnesota.
And for a look at what reuse and redevelopment can look like in a small community, there’s another Untold Story of Central Minnesota from last year that highlights Farwell, MN, and the very successful development of their arts center, which is made up of a church, a gas station, a creamery, and a schoolhouse, all once abandoned.
The Untold Stories of Central Minnesota is made possible through support from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund and Legacy Amendment of 2008.