Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

COVID-19 Updates for SHPO

Update April 01, 2020. Tax Incentives update. To submit historic tax credit project materials please contact your reviewer directly for submission information and instructions.

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Update March 31, 2020. Electronic Environmental Review Submittals.

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Update March 27, 2020. Environmental Review Program update/tolling notification.

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Update March 26, 2020. Given the Governor's announcement of Stay Home MN, the SHPO office will be closed to visitors and unable to accommodate in-person research and deliveries after 4 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020 continuing through Friday, April 10, 2020. Our office will continue to take file search requests via DataRequestSHPO@state.mn.us and requests will be fulfilled in the order received. Visit our page on Using SHPO's Files for information on file search requests. SHPO staff will continue to work remotely and be available via phone and email. We thank you for your continued patience.

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Update March 20, 2020. The National Park Service has updated their guidance to SHPOs that the Technical Preservation Services will accept new tax credit applications from SHPOs. Both NPS and SHPO staff will not have immediate access to applications and project files but will continue to review them.

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Update March 17, 2020. Over the past several days, life has dramatically changed. Like you, we have taken steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 and are committed to supporting the health of our loved ones, our communities, the State, and our world.

We are practicing social distancing in several ways with guidance by the Department of Administration and will begin posting updates on SHPO's website as needed.  While we currently maintain regular office hours, we have made some modifications for deliveries and researchers needing file access:

• Our files will only be accessible by one researcher at a time and there will be limited staff support. Plan by requesting an appointment with our Data Manager.
• To reduce delivery occurrences to our office please use the United State Postal Service or the mail slot at the entrance to our building.  For bulky items you will need to make an appointment and then drop off your items at our entrance at Suite 203.

At this time, the Environmental Review Program staff are continuing to work toward meeting the statutory 30-day review and comment period where applicable and will be notifying agencies if any review is anticipated to take longer than 30 days. Also, all submittals to our office for review and comment under either state or federal historic preservation laws must still be sent in hard copy per our usual procedures.

As of March 17, 2020, we have been instructed by our federal partners at the National Park Service (NPS) to suspend deliveries to specific program offices which include the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic Tax Incentives programs.  At this time, all National Register nominations and Historic Tax Credit applications submitted to MN SHPO will be reviewed then held until further direction is received from the NPS.  

SHPO staff are teleworking and flexing schedules, however,  we continue to be available via phone and email.  Thank you for your patience and continue to check our website for updates and changes.

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