East Side Neighborhood Development Company Receives 2008 Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Award Redevelopment of Payne Avenue State Bank (Old Swedish Bank Building) For More Information: Contact Mari Bongiovanni, 651-288-8746 mbongiovanni@esndc.org

St. Paul, MN – May 13, 2008. The East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC) proudly announces that it has received a 2008 Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Payne Avenue State Bank (“Old Swedish Bank”) Building located at 965 Payne Avenue. Others recognized for their participation in the bank restoration project include Neighborhood
Development Center (NDC), which provided project management and Collaborative Design Group, Inc., architect and structural engineer of record.

The Preservation Awards recognize projects, individuals and organizations that enhance and celebrate Saint Paul’s history and promote preservation values and compatible design for a more livable city. The award was presented on May 13, 2008 at the 18th Annual Saint Paul Heritage Award Ceremony sponsored by the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission, the Saint Paul Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the State Historic Preservation Office as a part of National Preservation Month in May. The project was judged on the quality of design, workmanship and materials; the respectfulness of the building’s historic and architectural character; and the impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood or community.

ESNDC and NDC devised and completed a plan that repositioned the building to echo its historic role in the neighborhood as a trust institution where neighborhood residents - be they new immigrants, or long standing residents - could come to for advice, opportunity and services in their efforts to build asset for their families. The plan that emerged from ESNDC and NDC combined both physical and social goals.

Physically, the building was completely renovated in a manner that reclaimed the building’s historic charm and accentuated its role as the most architecturally significant building on the Payne Avenue commercial corridor.

Socially, the plan has attracted a dynamic mix of tenants (US Federal Credit Union, Lutheran Social Service, Center for Working Families, the Cultural Wellness Center) that will provide residents with financial services, employment opportunities, personal referral services, business development opportunities and financial education and training opportunities.

Ultimately, this project combines elements of economic development and physical revitalization and has the potential to serve as a powerful symbol of economic re-birth and opportunity for the entire community.

Other East Side projects receiving Heritage Preservation Awards included the Olaf Lee House at 955 Jessie Street and the Jacob Heck House at 613 North Street. Mari Bongiovanni, Executive Director of ESNDC remarked, “These three awards reflect an exciting renewal of our East Side community spirit! ESNDC is proud to be able to restore the Old Swedish Bank Building—long an icon of prosperity for our residents.”

ESNDC’s mission is to create wealth and well-being in a thriving and engaged multi-cultural neighborhood.

Its comprehensive development and wealth creation strategy is based on actively engaging the diverse people and businesses in the neighborhood in housing, economic and human development work on St. Paul’s East Side.

For more information, contact:
• Mari Bongiovanni, Executive Director, ESNDC mbongiovanni@esndc.org, phone: 651-288-8746 or
• Mike LaFave, Project Consultant, NDC mlafave@ndc-mn.org, phone: 651-357-4595

© 2008 East Side Neighborhood Development Company, Inc.