Save the Historic Hamline-Midway Library

Renovate 1558 is a grass-roots organization formed by concerned neighbors, artists, social activists, and architectural experts who came together to save the historic Henry Hale Memorial Library, Hamline Branch for future generations. Our name is taken from the library’s street address, 1558 Minnehaha Ave W, in Saint Paul's Hamline-Midway neighborhood.

Our historic library has been the heart of the Hamline-Midway neighborhood since 1930, serving a diverse community of readers, families, students, and adventurers. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in January of 2023 for its significant role in the community, especially in supporting women’s history. Now, our historic library is facing its biggest threat.

Sadly, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, love of history isn’t enough to stop a wrecking ball swung by city leadership and the Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL), nor is its inclusion on the NRHP, which the city actively opposed. Instead, our elected officials and SPPL want to toss away the historic library like a crumpled Taco Bell bag. They plan to replace it with a new library on the same lot. While slightly larger, the new building trades community history, sustainability, and artful character for a design some called “reminiscent of a credit union.”

A year ago, SPPL acknowledged that demolishing the historic library was unnecessary, as evidenced by a renovation option they released at the time that would expand the library and address community concerns. However, city leaders aren't really interested in a win-win solution that would preserve history while meeting 21st Century needs. Instead, they want to strip parts from the historic building to decorate a new one, which is really just a cynical ploy to pretend that demolition isn't actually destruction of the past.

Here are a few ways to save the historic building:

Many neighbors and friends of the library support more sustainable alternatives. Still, the city ignores input outside its exclusive, closed-door process. The city should not ignore community voices. We can improve the library experience for everyone, save our neighborhood’s history, and preserve the environment from the harmful impact of their plans, but we need your help.

We are in litigation with the city. Because of the city's intransigence, Renovate 1558 filed suit against the city and SPPL under the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, which require the city to explore options that would allow for the renovation or repurposing of the library as a protected historic resource.

In response to our lawsuit, the city filed a summary judgment motion in an attempt to have our case thrown out. In court, the city claimed that the Hamline Midway Library could only be protected if the building’s architecture was singled out as significant and that the cultural factors that earned it a place on the NRHP were insufficient for the building to receive historic protection. Thousands of buildings across the USA are listed on the NRHP for cultural significance, including many in Minnesota.

While we are optimistic that the court will dismiss the city’s argument as contrary to the law (and in direct opposition to the original federal legislation that created the NRHP decades ago), we must prepare for all contingencies, including the possibility of needing to appeal an adverse decision on the summary judgment motion. And we also need to prepare for trial on our MERA claim sometime in the late spring or early summer of 2024.

Thankfully, we have the help of a skilled team of volunteer attorneys who generously provide terrific representation in support of this litigation. However, lawsuits are expensive. Despite pro-bono representation, our court costs have already exceeded thousands of dollars, a number that we expect to grow as litigation progresses. That’s why we've created a GoFundMe campaign with an initial ask of $10,000 to help defray those expenses.

How we will use donations:

We value every donation, large or small. If you believe in saving historic buildings, genuine community engagement, equity and respect for patrons, sustainable practices, and the creativity of our friends and neighbors, please give what you can.

Please note that donations are not tax-exempt.

Renovate 1558

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