A demolition permit for a onetime Gluek saloon in the Cedar-Riverside area was denied Monday by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission in hopes the would-be developer will move the building instead.
The commission voted 5-2 to block the application by Fine Associates to raze the building at 1500 S. 6th St. and ordered a study of potentially designating it as worthy of historic preservation. Fine wants to use the site as part of a proposed 259-unit housing complex next to Mixed Blood Theater.
The developer said in a letter that it is committed to moving the building down 6th Street to another parcel it owns on the other side of the street, providing the city and neighborhood approve that. But the building's use after a move would be determined later. Several representatives of Somali arts and youth groups said they're interested in the building, but they have no financing lined up.
Several commissioners are skeptical the building is significant, given other better-preserved examples of saloons in the area tied to the defunct Gluek brewery. But others say the building contributes to a potential larger district of vintage neighborhood buildings or one based on the brewing industry.
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438 Twitter: @brandtstrib
