The City of St. Cloud is home to more than 4,500 historic structures, 4 residential historic districts, and the St. Cloud Commercial Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and locally designated in 2002. To preserve and protect these structures and districts, the City of St. Cloud created the Downtown and Residential Preservation Design Manuals in 2003 and 2005, respectively, and worked with Bolton & Menk to release the 2024 Historic Preservation Manual. This manual was created to help enhance and protect St. Cloud’s unique character while supporting economic development and addressing housing demand.

The updated online manual contains best practices for improving historic buildings and provides St. Cloud staff with objective criteria to evaluate proposed applications. Bolton & Menk ensured the manual was easy to understand, with plain language, a glossary, sketches to illustrate right and wrong improvement methods, and color-coded keys to differentiate appropriate solutions. The manual also suggests energy-efficient replacement materials and technologies.

Residents and business owners indicated the new format was easier to understand and that including cost-friendly replacement materials will increase the likelihood for others to restore or repair their historic properties.