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Home My WebLink AboutStubbs Bay Schoolhouse c INDEX M ; Kenneth Harney Page H3 .""' '., .. w 'Calendar Page H2 7 Satrrday4 - `�' Help lines Page H13 . . u H � fi Home plan Page H11 APRIL i0, 1999 SECTION .• '{ Real estate transactions Page H14,; f Rental news Page H29. Star x e r , (1/5) Inside Used for generations of classes, many old schoolhouses ....... ...... .., were abandoned and later torn down. But some still stand : schoolhouse condos ; The Bremer Intermediate : x. and have been renovated as private residences. 1 School is one of many school- t' houses that have been converted `+ :to housing.The north Minneapolis �_building was renovated into con dominiums that showcase some of _ the design elements of a school f built more than a century ago Turn to Spotlight on,H7.: I nclrrte ta. t ► b x .. . ._ r 1999 deductions Homeowners ould a of should mak note w _ of expenses that they couldn't de- n duet fully on their 1998 income tax return but that may be deductible next tax season. 4. e on . ; For example,if you're eligible for home-office deductions,place a note in your 1999 tax file of ±, home-office expenses that couldn't be deducted on your 1998 return because they exceeded income Schoolhouse conversions ring new life into Old buildings from your business.Those excess expenses can be carried forward to your 1999 tax return. If you refinanced your mortgage in recent years,make note of any "points"that will be eligible for a deduction on your 1999 tax return. ti Rental property owners should note losses they couldn't write off because of the annual limitation on deductible losses.Losses in ex- cess of the limits can be carried forward and deducted in future 4 :.,years. Gary Mott �' National Newspittper Syndicate Eye on the numbers , .Y♦aa♦Kfi..Yh.ia. ♦ .♦T• ♦ fi.t • a3 .. ` Mortgage rates Average interest rate offered by 15 to 20 Twin Cities area lenders for the last 8 weeks. 30-year fixed I 15-year fixed !, I � -year ARM VV 5 Source.HSH Associates of Butler,NJ. Renters' report . . . Page H29 Average rent for Average vacancy for i the Twin Cities the Twin Cities $670 3% ° r $656 $650 2% 1.8% 1 $630 1 Star 7r�une�iotos by Richard Sennott $627 The Stubbs Bay schoolhouse in Orono held classes for nearly a half a century,but it had seen better days before its recent renovation. $610 of The entry lights,shown in detail in top photo,guide the way into the former school,which sits on a lot overlooking Lake Minnetonka. area 6/98 9/98 12/98 3/98 8/98 9/98 12/98 - Source:Apartment Search Profiles ► ► 0• PAGE H4 STAR TRIBUNE Homes . SATURDAY,APRIL 1 t nr w y - = C ► �. S R.Y. school house conversions'. ,l . A neglected school overlooking Lake Minnetonka in Orono has been saved by a a group that felt that it deserved a better fate than being torn down. ` Star Tribune photo Richard Sennott Schoolhouses 1 feature wide-oE interiors ripe fo �. conversion into [ vate residence: pose many cha lenges.The oris " white oak floor f ` the Stubbs Bay �g £ school were damaged by rai and had to be r placed with pin L ,., ...g E G` �o F; 'St Libl . ay s use is The group bought the building in 1997 school districts in the 1960s and 1970s," A building also can earn a histone massive 500 an t beg g p tact with the Nelson,state historical archi- ignation if a major event took place n ,., It's ' Minnesota Historical Society. structure.But usually a building i 'si f#er almost'half a century as a for-$118,500 andb an malar laps for said shdifficult to estimate the number of . only if ther�e`is some stt < ` sch(*, the Stubbs. Bay school- A fare occurrence abandoned or'.nbsolete school buildings,' munityfroth people vthai i a � - houie in Orono had nearly out- The Stubbs Bey. school,was lucky. he said.There's no inveintp(ry tit clearing lion with 1 lastecl'its usefulness. Many buildings like this one don't get a house for such data. Nelson said 11 ' schb0lha 1 As the city grew,,the school.no longer second chance.All across the state,obso- There's another reason their numbers become.town halls I or other munit was capable of accommodating all of the- Tete schoolhouses'get torn down.Somo of aren't tracked:most do not have historic buildings. While it's good that t new students who moved into the area. the buildings are saved by moving thdesignations,which can beassigned if the buildings stay in public service,they c So for several years the building,which A school near the Stubbs Bay school building has maintained its architectural lose their architectural integrity du was constructed in I912, was used as a moved to Murphy's Landing in Shakopoe. integrity or has some importance in the the renovation,Nelson said. home and a childhood development cen- The legacy of most survives only on the community. Old school buildings can be good ter. - ' pages of history books'and in the memo-" The Bremer School on Lowry Avenue versionprojects because they ust 1 Time had taken':its toll on the one- ries of former students. j in north Minneapolis is an example.Built have high ceilings,wood floors,large story,glazed clay-tile building.Though it Some,like the Stubbs Bay school, d in 1886,the building was listed on the Na- closets and tall windows, but they was sound structurally,it was grossly in new uses. tional Register of Historic Places in 1977. come difficult projects because thea need of repair.The roof hada gaping hole' "Many of these smaller schoolhou s The distinct castle-like building was later usually only a couple of rooms ani in it and some of the windows were bro- are Victorian-era buildings that ha a converted into condominiums.(See story kitchen. ken. The mechanical systems needed become obsolete with changes in the on page 1-17). updating,and the exterior was overgrown Appreciating history ►. - by trees and shrubs. k The Jacks, who are not professi Even the large bell,which called hun �� : builders or remodelers,wanted to tr dreds of students to school over the years, � ' form the building into good livable sl ' was missing. without disrupting its lines and chara, ' The school, which:is on a prime 1.8- Devotees of things old and unu acre lot with mature trees overlooking (John Jack claims to have the only C Lake Minnetonka,seemed destined to be " Cod cat boat—a sail boat half as wid tom down. it is long—in the Midwest);they me Instead, Suzanne and John Jack, and to Lake Minnetonka from Ducksbi Doug Aabel and Dan Bauer of Right Angle Mass., a.town with deep roots and c ► Building Corp.rescued the building. nections to the Pilgrims. She fell in love with it,"John Jack said. 117_1111,.A. There,they restored a 1796 house; ► She was enthused about the idea of sav- M learned to appreciate an East Coast in ► ing it and she knew that if we didn't, it "a ,a.. tality that favors preservation rather t] ► would be bulldozed, It was just.-one of- The Stubbs Bay school in Orono,shown above in historic photos from "Orono,Minnesota: demolition. "They[East Coasters] sa, .those sparks t4at soft 0 igritt@e;"Lt's.lik�!' -100 Years by the Waters of Minnetonka," was a popular sledding hill.The building at 3550 everything; here they tear it dom ' k9ling in love." Watertown Road was used as a schoolhouse for nearly 50 years. Suzanne Jack said. SATURDAY,APRIL 10. 1999 STAR TRIBUNE•PAGE H5 ORRIN THOMP S ON HOMES In the Midwest they discovered,much -,;. Enduring • . • ItYears........................ ...............................................„ to their consternation,that old or decrepit +Yy l ..... ...... � buildings often are bulldozed,and there T R0YA,_ COLLECTION ' are few old or historic buildings ripe for - - restoration. the $230's Shortly after they moved here they ;nc,lot took on their first project,renovating two small houses on Lake Minnetonka. One of the houses was a two-bedroom cottage built in 1908.They gutted it to the studs and the foundation and built a sec- ond-level.They also added two porches —one on each level—on the lake side of the house.That idea was inspired by a trip to Key West,Fla.,where they discovered Y` "Jaouse,whin"definition is '�nrrow and has an upstairs and ��„,� oyaCCoFectiort: downstairs porch.Their house is only 24 �LtncuioiNz�tayaith46earoo ,3baths,loft,grand foyermdspaciousfamilyipom 1 ' feet from the water's edge. "From the star Tribune photo by Tr di Hann rl0'ot'�1 kii with center 1sl a;breakfast nook,desk and pantry EDEN kPRAIRIE Formal livyig and dining rooms w h 9'ceilings,soaring vaulted ceiling in owner's suite 612Par e of Eden Prai e upstairs porch I can fish;I can cast right The 1,428-square-foot Casey schoolhouse ClAvailable to view and build Lake Forest in Eden Prairie, Hypointe Cr ing in LakavHte at�3 612-934.1668 into the water,"John Jack said. in Waupaca,Wis.,recently sold for The Preserve in Woodbury WOODBURY The Preserve The other house was an old World War $23,000.Scrawled on the blackboard is a 'Price includes standard lot in Hyp to Crossing From the$180's II barracks building that used to house note:"Do not tear me down,I am a histori- """"""""""" """"""""...... """ ...'""• 651.578.8991 THE UNIV RSITY COL, TION Japanese prisoners. Previous owners cal place full of beauty and character.The t • moved the two-bedroom building to the memories made within these walls are '" the$15006 WOODBURY oage Glen site from Savage. The Jacks rehabbed it priceless." mc.tt Herit ' from"stem to stern,"John said. � �_ Deta ' 651-578-2878 The main level retains much of the Many challenges Same shape as the original building. It's + The Stubbs Bay project had many chal- divided into two rooms: a family/living F cooN RAP1>xs lenges. room and a kitchen/dining area.A wall, ridge es The first thing they had to do was sta- with a built-in entertainment center and i2-862.1119 bilize the building. The hole in the roof see-through fireplace,separates the two `"' -Sawpi E ROVE G Glen allowed water to pour inside and warp the rooms.There's also a library with built-in Frei thg$110's tek CJccup mey! floors,and parts of the concrete basement bookcases. CAMBRIDGE,from the IWwrsiftC+llecBaE: 812116.1790 floor had to be repoured. They installed The walk-out basement is finished and3 bedrooms,3 baths,over 1600 sq fc;expansian'and th bedroom opti available WOODBURY Main floor features formal living&d' rooms,se to family room d bath The Preserve- newfurnaces and central air conditioning has a wet bar,a family room,abedroom, � ne �a v P a or 3BR>from 90'8 llri1tS. and an Office. Country kitchen with built-in pantry,breakfast bar& dinette �L�� 651.578.0232 Available to view at Pine Meadow,Hypointe Crossing, irie Village River l.4 RigirFWWs, a + One of the biggest challenges was cre- On the inside,aside from the tall win- country view and also available to build at The Preserve • ating enough head room on the second dows,high ceilings and the general shape I Price includes standard lot in Hypointe crossing EDEN PRAIRIE floor to put in bedrooms and a couple of of the building,the only thing saved from """""""" "' """ ""'• '•' •' .......... •�.u'�gi,t Lake Forest �,T T O 17'N..H,a S Immediate Occupancy! bathrooms. the original building is a scrap of the I ' 612-934.1668 To do that,they lowered the height of chalkboard,which is used as a keystonethe$1$U S EEDENke off IRI the first-floor ceiling from 12 feet to 10 above the living room side of the fire- 612-934-1668 feet.That reduced the height of the win- place.Not much else was salvageable. ialcEvill E iiypoinxe Crossing dows from 91/z feet to 61/2 feet. The schoolhouse hasn't sold yet—it's YJew Model Open Aabel also had to add three dormers, listed for$669,000.Suzanne Jack,Who is a 6h2-432.4439 including one where the old bell tower sales agent with Roger Fazendin Realtors estb°estates ..,y , r ediate Occupancy! used to stand.There are now three bed- and is:-marketing the house, said that �., 66112--559-5710 rooms,a laundry and two bathrooms up- interest has been quite high.They've had WOODBURY WO Preserve stairs. one offer, which wasn't quite good . the$170's The house now has 5,389 square feet, enough.Many visitors,including former 51.738.9203 four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a students,drop by just to reminisce. RAMBLER STYLE TOWNHOMES: 0 ' three-car garage,which was added along Two recent visitors shared a story the 1 2 executive-style 1 level floor plans w/poured concret basements I Over 1800 sq.h,spacious kitchens,dinettes&dini rooms with full vaulte ceilings throughout. CARVER with a breezeway that connects the two lacks were thrilled to hear and can't wait ;Large master bedroom suites wJoversized soaking cobs separate shower River he 51308 pieces of the house and gives it the feeling to follow up on: the whereabouts Of the Available to view and buad;n The Preserve in W ry and coming From 612.368-7u i of a rambling Maine house. missing bell. I soon to Oakparke in Eden Prairie cOrrAGE GROVE 1 Price quoted includes a standard lot Pine Forest The original white oak floors were From the$130'6 damaged by rain and had to be replaced ELSEWHERE INSIDE: Our Locations 651-459-9756 EDEN PRAIRIE with pine. All of the other woodwork, y,Bremer School in Minneapolis has ' ' 62 934-1668 including doors and cabinetry, was COU MTRYNEw o , • , , From'tel 0's $r MICHAEL RAMSEY replaced with maple and birch. been converted to condos. H7 1B M LAKEVILLE arvEa%MES W axoxa /t t I• Lors�from the$160'e n coon nRcs.w000emGE ",' - ' 612.432.4439 LODGES _ RAMSEY River Pines -. : MnpntwouN r From the$120's 612.576.9575 ST.MICHAEL .Country Vrew From the$120's Rt) 51 612.497-5139 ST RAuI SHAKOPEE to t 1 OMINTNOYPlON 69 MINN" " .Prairie Village o°'b"o°"br s From the$140's LUKE fORE3T 62 Wooded L tst-® Now Available j a ®mE+. arE 212 90 rtov. 612-496-9100 WOODBURY " t Y The Preserve so From the$150's a C nr 651.578-8077 I ; WOODBURY Savannah Oaks t�;- ,« AArtEVAUEv From the$150's i ,N. 651-501.1558 River ER er _ 1�ate68 From the$150s NTE CROWING _ 651.501.1558 111601117#0711111111; t 'Prices and promotions vary by location and lot size and are subject to change without notice. Pictures may show additional options.Otters,incentives and seller contributions are subject to certain terms,condition,mar and Mon.-Fri.I IAM to 8 PM Star TrkKM photo by Rk*Wd Sennott restrictions which may include using designated lenders and closing agents.Orrin Thompson Homes reserves Sac 11AM ro 6PM The main level of the Stubbs Bay schoolhouse has been divided Into two rooms:a the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Sun.Noon to"I'M family/living room and a kitchen/dining area,shown above. Visit our website www.ushome.com