Peavey Plaza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Peavey Plaza
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Fountain at Peavey Plaza
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1101 Nicollet Mall |
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| Area | 1 acre |
| Built | 1975 |
| Architect | M. Paul Friedberg |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 12001173 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 2013 |
Peavey Plaza is a cool outdoor space in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can find it at the south end of Nicollet Mall, between 11th and 12th Streets. It has a special sunken design with an amphitheater, perfect for shows. A famous landscape architect named M. Paul Friedberg designed it in 1975, right next to Orchestra Hall. Experts call it a "marvel of modernism" because of its unique design. It was even listed as one of Minnesota's most endangered historical places.
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Why Was Peavey Plaza in Danger?
In 2011, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Orchestra wanted to change Peavey Plaza. Their plans did not include the original designer, M. Paul Friedberg. After a public meeting, an activist named Trish Brock started a group called "Save Peavey Plaza." She worked with other groups, like The Cultural Landscape Foundation, to protect the plaza.
How Was Peavey Plaza Saved?
In June 2012, two groups, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and the Cultural Landscape Foundation, sued the City of Minneapolis. They argued that tearing down Peavey Plaza would break a Minnesota law. This law protects important historical places from harm.
In January 2013, Peavey Plaza was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This meant it was recognized as a very important historical site. The lawsuit continued even after this.
On October 4, 2013, the lawsuit was finally settled. The agreement said that any new plans for the plaza must keep its original design. They had to follow special rules for treating historic properties. The National Trust for Historic Preservation even said Peavey Plaza was one of ten historic sites saved that year!
What Happened After the Renovation?
In late 2014, Peavey Plaza was used for the "Minneapolis Holiday Market." This was part of the Holidazzle Village, which replaced the old holiday parade.
Later, the city found it hard to keep the fountains and pools working. They drained the water, but the plaza stayed open. In 2017, the city made new plans for a redesign. A big renovation, costing $10 million, finished in July 2019. This project kept the plaza's original look but made it easier to use and maintain. It also brought new life to the south end of Nicollet Mall.
The new Peavey Plaza now has improved water fountains and a new wading pool. It also features cool changing lights and a new area for entertainment.
Images for kids
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Fountain at Peavey Plaza
- Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) No. MN-2, "Peavey Park Plaza, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN", 9 measured drawings, 12 data pages
