Willmar Design Center

State architecture magazine to feature Willmar as ‘livable city’; Willmar only small city featured

Willmar’s downtown improvement and revitalization efforts mirror many of the American Institute of Architects’ 10 principles of livable cities. The Mikkelson Building, Engan Associates Architects, the Christianson and Associates building, seen below, and the 414 Becker Building were all highlighted as examples of continued uses for older buildings.

Willmar will be featured as an example of a livable city in the summer edition of a state architecture magazine.

Christopher Hudson, editor of Architecture Minnesota, says Willmar’s downtown improvement and revitalization efforts mirror many of the American Institute of Architects’ 10 principles of livable cities.

According to Hudson, the magazine occasionally publishes stories illustrating the 10 principles.

“But this is the first time we’ve done an issue specifically devoted to it,’’ he said. “Willmar is the only one. This is the only smaller town that we’re focusing on.’’

Hudson said Willmar’s downtown master plan illustrates many of the 10 principles, such as preserving urban centers and encouraging mixed-use development.

“Just the whole idea of what you’re doing down here with community support illustrates the 10 principles really beautifully,’’ said Hudson.

The plan, also known as the “Visioneer,’’ was produced in 2006 by Willmar Design Center urban planner Tom Ososki. The plan represents a guide to social, cultural and economic development of the downtown area, based on suggestions from community members made during two visits with the Minnesota Design Team in 2005.

The Minnesota Design Team is a group of architects and planners who volunteer their time to help cities generate ideas for local improvements.

“Everybody in the Twin Cities seems to know about this Willmar project because the Minnesota Design Team has done a good job of holding up Willmar as a model example of how these Design Team visits can go,’’ said Hudson.

“I think at least in the AIA office your plans for the downtown area are really inspiring, and the Minnesota Design Team hopes that more of their visits turn out as productive,’’ said Hudson.

“They come in and spend a couple of days with you, but it’s the community that does all the work.’’

Hudson said Willmar’s plan was discussed during an AIA town hall forum last fall by Design Center project coordinator Beverly Dougherty.

Dougherty said Hudson called her because they wanted to do a story on livable cities in Minnesota.

“I thought that was a great opportunity because things are happening downtown,’’ she said. “There is a lot of action going on downtown that people aren’t aware of, and I thought it would be a great time to get that story out.’’

Dougherty, Hudson and writer Frank Martin walked to Barnes Photography and Chocolates building, Mikkelson Building, Engan Associates Architects (former Tribune building), Christianson and Associates (former Bremer Bank) and the 414 Becker Building (former Vinje Lutheran Church education building). All are examples of continued uses for older buildings.

Martin, a landscape historian and architectural writer, said his story will discuss Willmar’s great potential.

“Really, the point (is) that revitalizing a downtown is more than just preserving the architecture, and that it’s a lot about finding the right balance of business and having a committee of people really dedicated to it,’’ he said.

“One of the unique and really promising things for Willmar is this cultural diversity the area has, and it’s something that should be celebrated and promoted,’’ Martin said. “It’s a great asset for downtown. It’s really quite unique.’’

Martin said he’ll write that city and county governments have a responsibility to limit irresponsible strip development.

“Every community in the country has a responsibility to limit urban sprawl, especially in this day and age,’’ he said.

“I think the biggest problem we face as a country is urban sprawl, what it does to transportation, what it does to the environment, foreign petroleum dependence,’’ he said. “And even in a small town like Willmar, it matters.’’