Statement of Significance (as of designation - November 13, 1966):
Of the giant flour mills that made Minneapolis the milling capital of the Nation between 1880 and 1930, Pillsbury "A" Mill is the only one standing. The largest, most advanced mill in the world at its completion in 1881, the six story "A" Mill was the standard by which all other mills of its time were measured.

Condition:
The local owner and developer has proposed to rehabilitate many of the historic structures with and outside of the NHL boundary, and undertake new, neighboring new construction. Unil the final overall development has shown that the work will not adversely affect the NHL, it will remain on the "watch" list.

The initial proposal for 6 new towers 35 floors high was reduced in 2004 to 4 towers with 27 floors, based on local neighborhood comments. An Environmental Impact Study requested by the Minneapolis City Council in 2004 revolved around the issue of tower height, including their proximity to the University of Minnesota’s Steam Plant Chimney, environmental hazards affecting the Mississippi River, and the historic value of the Pillsbury A Mill. A January 2006 the Minneapolis Heritage Commission denial of the developer’s request to build the 4 towers taller than the Pillsbury A Mill Tile Elevator was overturned in February 2006 by the Minneapolis Zoning and Planning Committee, and approved by City Council. However, individual building designs will need to be approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Zoning and Planning Committee before construction can begin. Revised design schemes for the towers, replacing some glass and metal accents with masonry, were approved by the Commission in June 2006.

Recommendation/Change since last report:
The site will be on the watch list until the development plans are finalized.