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Contact: Lauren Blacik, 507-825-5464 ext. 211
The National Park Service invites public comment on the Buildings 3 and 6 Demolition project at Pipestone National Monument. Information is available at the following link: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/PipestoneMission66Buildings, and public comment will be open through August 28, 2020.
The preferred alternative of the park’s General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (2008) envisions reducing development in the heart of the Monument to restore the tallgrass prairie and prioritize the spiritual landscape. Buildings 3 and 6 are no longer needed for park functions, and their removal will open up views of the quarries and tallgrass prairie landscape as visitors enter the park.
Buildings 3 and 6 were originally built in 1950 and 1958, respectively, as employee housing units. Building 3 is currently used as offices and Building 6 has been vacant since 2015. They represent the “Mission 66” phase of national park development, when facilities were upgraded throughout the agency in the years leading up to 1966. The structures are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and their removal will be an adverse effect under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The sewer line currently serving Buildings 3 and 6 is failing, leading to high volumes of freshwater infiltration. Repairs would be invasive and expensive. In addition, the buildings do not meet standards for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility. The park has explored options for relocating the buildings, but ultimately determined that approach is not feasible due to the construction style.
A public open house is planned for Thursday, August 6 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Hiawatha Pageant Park Picnic Shelter (red building near the Three Maidens). There will be brief 15-minute presentations at 5:00pm and 6:00pm, followed by an opportunity to discuss and ask questions. We respectfully request that those attending the public open house practice 6-foot social distancing and wear a face covering.
On Tuesday, August 11 at 5:00pm, the same information will be provided via conference call. Please email pipe_interpretation@nps.gov to receive the call-in information.
Previous public comment on these actions took place during the development of the General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, including a news release and open houses in 2000, newsletters in 2002, and a public review period that closed on May 15, 2007.
Your comments on ways to mitigate the adverse effects of the demolition of the Mission 66 structures are welcome, as well as any other comments you wish to provide. Please submit comments by August 28, 2020 in writing to the address below or by visiting https://parkplanning.nps.gov/PipestoneMission66Buildings, the National Park Service website for the Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system.
Pipestone National Monument
36 Reservation Avenue
Pipestone, Minnesota 56164-1269
Last updated: July 27, 2020