About Excelsior's Lake Minnetonka

I joined ActiveRain about two years ago and after awhile found that I was spending too much time reading the responses that Realtors, Lenders and others sent regarding the original Attention-Getting Headlines. This is one of the few times I've been back to check out ActiveRain.

Regarding the "STUPID" headline I skimmed through way too many responses. The bottom line for me is that many people tend to give their thoughts and opinions about what they want their clients to be doing at this time in this market. They forget that every neighborhood, area, state, and country is different, and there are huge differences in the needs, desires and ability of their clients to perform.

Because I'm a "depression baby" generation and have been a Realtor for 31+ years, I have seen many changes in the market, and in the attitudes of Realtors, Lenders, and Clients, as well as the advice given out. Having bought a condo in 1982 with our interest rate bought down to 18.5% with the price inflated by the builder, the rates of today seem like a bargain.

For me, the bottom line has been to have a consultation with my clients and prospective clients to find out why they themselves really want to sell or buy or get a loan and when they wish to do so. Then with my guidance (and an experienced trusted Lender) they can be given education on their options. It is up to them to make their decisions on whether to move forward or not and when and how to do so if that is what they want. It may, or may not be a good time for them to buy or not to buy, if you consider your clients educated personal wishes and abilities.

Nancy Middleton, Keller Williams Realty, Lake Minnetonka Center, Minnesota

When you are a lover of historic homes, you can't help but cringe anytime an old home sits and rots, or when a new owner decides to take a house down, or add on to it some horrible addition. Many communities still are behind the times and do not have a historical association to protect our historic treasures from ruin. But thankfully Minneapolis and Saint Paul have plenty of organizations that care about this buildings.

But when does this history become a burden? While there are many different examples of how homes can be burdens on a community, one burden some might not think of are historic buildings that no longer exist.

Hmmmm...but how is that possible?

The city of Excelsior is in such a dilemma. Sitting on Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior has a great downtown district, mostly because anyone can enjoy the lake view and stand at the water's edge, without a building obstruction in the way. One of the best features is an open park, an area I have enjoyed during the summer months with my kids. But during 1904-1922, the pavilion pictured above stood near the same spot.

A developer is currently petitioning the city to allow him to reconstruct the pavilion, in the same spot it used to stand on the shoreline of Excelsior. There are many residents who do not want to lose the lake view that draws tourists to the area. For 80 years, the site has been open, and many want to keep it that way. But there are also residents of Excelsior that like the idea and think the new pavilion would add to the historic nature of the town.

But who should win? A pavilion that predates the open view park, but hasn't been around since 1922, or the open space, which has been enjoyed by residents and visitors for 80 years? When does a historic building need to bow out gracefully and, for a better phrase, stay dead?

I guess the stand I would take on this issue would be on the side to keep the site as is. I don't believe that it is in the publics best interest to build a new pavilion, that in this case would be used as a town hall, with some public access. No matter how great the developer can make the site, it still will be taking away an open space which can be currently be enjoyed by all. To me, the pavilion is a great part of Excelsior history, but it does not have a place in the town's future, especially since it hasn't been around for so long.

Could the developer be pushing the historic button of residents to get his plan approved? Maybe, but he does have a history of restoring old buildings in Excelsior. I have no doubt he has good intentions, but sometimes it is best to just leave well enough alone. His plan is putting an unfair burden on local residents, making them decide between a view they have enjoyed for a long time, or restoring a building that helped create the town itself.

The photo above is of the current view from Excelsior, looking out to Lake Minnetonka. I think I like this view much better. What do you think?

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Visit my historic home blog to learn more about architecture in Minnesota.