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MEKUS STUDIOS LTD SUNSET FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY CONCEPT REVIEW SUBMISSION ST ANTHONY,MINNESOTA MEMORANDUM FROM CHARLES NELSON MEMORANDUM FROM CHARLES NELSON In April,the Alderwoods team began working with Mr.Charles Nelson an independent consultant Mr.Nelson is the retired State Historical Preservation Architect with over 30 years of experience in the field. Mr.Nelson surveyed the existing administration building and reviewed the designs for the proposed new funeral home. Mr.Nelson has provided valuable suggestions on the project and feels the project could be a successful replacement for the existing administration building. Some of the comments Mr.Nelson highlighted: Memorandum TO- Alderwoods Group FROM Charles W.Nelson,Historical Architect DATE 14 Apnl 2005 SUBJECT* Preliminary Design Review Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery Thank you for the opportunity to review preliminary reports,plans and specification, alterations,as of which ties been d—iod to be satisfactory,Therefore,it has relative to proposed work for the Sunset Funeral Home and Csmetery This property, been concluded Clint the current structure will be replaced by a now structure of established in 1927,is a significant example of landscape design opplted to mrmrcrtes in compatible design This building will be situated in the same position as the the early twentieth century,the retail being a memorial park consisting of brand expanses misting,forming a gateway to the park and an architectural anchor to the®rt end of lawn,winding drives,and a distinctive central boulevard anchored at either end by a of the mall. chapel and gotehouse/admmissmtsn building.The principal monument of the park is the • The design of the proposed structure respects the existing architectural palate by Tower of Memoras,created at the midpoint of the boulevard,in perfect balance wah the incorporating the flavor of the English Jacobean Revival in roof and gable lines, flanking rows of cedar trees.Conceived by noted landscape architects Morell and fenestration.and aderior materials. I would,however,suggest ggee dart farther Nichols,the park represents a significant example of this Minnesota firm's design investigation be made as to the pone arrangement for the proposed windows to expenise.As such,the property appears to meet the crnarra for nomination to the incorporate either a diamond or stnaller rectangle muntin pattern.The design is National Register of Holum Places. ar a replica of the existing building,nor should it be.It is both honest and respectful. With the above coreiderstsns in msnd,1 visaed the site and now offer the Iblbwmg Suggestion for conservation and mtegmton of misting historical features into comments" the new building Include reincorporation of the destfative fireplace mantle and • The central boulevard/mall is e most significant design feature.Alteration of this muralinto the tecen'n arta of the new stsuetme std conservation of the three feature would cenimpact adversely ryect the eligibility of the property for any prom. leaded glaze window panels from the east 0pde.Although selvage of furore conmdemtion for historic status.The components requiring preservation the Oak paneling in the reception mom of the misting building Cay at be include the cuntinnal line of cedar trees and the antral green Removal of treat to practical.it is strongly advised to provide a similar paneling in the now,reception pmvde parking would present a negative impact by interrupting the continuity of area. planting_Removal of the moral green for parking would have a similar impact . Overall,I am quite Impressed with the allures that have gone into making thus As a compromise measure,I suggest that the misting green be reduced to the protea successful Swim The proposed design is densldve h the ds o significant history minimum allowable in width ro provide for Parallel patkmg along the boulevard chanMtt of Suri,,Memorial Park while addressing the weds of the e:ettrnwy when needed TMs measure would provide parking and maintain the original long into the future design totem When viewed from various points along the mall,the impact would be negligible. • The current getehouse/admmutmtfon budding is a contributing element to the design of the park.It is executed in a variant of the English Jacobean Revival style,and is f ked in gray granite similar to that used m the chapel and tower,a well as gatepost- It Is extremely limited in available space end,as such,has brume fimcnonally obsolete to current weds.The architects have Investigated alternatives to removal of this structure that Include various additions and PROJECT NO.20425 Page-5 April 19,2005