FLAT ROCK — Seven Michigan communities have been awarded funding from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Grants totaling $250,000 will benefit local preservation and community planning goals in Charlevoix, Coldwater, Detroit, Flat Rock, Holland, Livonia and Washtenaw County. The grants represent awards from the federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF)-Certified Local Government (CLG) program administered by SHPO.
According to a new release, Flat Rock’s funding will be used to contract with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) to host a Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) training for city of Flat Rock staff and historic district commissioners, as well as interested parties in other downriver communities.
NAPC provides technical support and manages an information network to help local commissions accomplish their preservation objectives. Flat Rock’s training will boost local preservation expertise and support self-sufficiency in decision making.
“For more than 40 years, the CLG program has helped create partnerships that support communities in their efforts to plan for, invest in and tell the story of their irreplaceable heritage assets,” State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan M. Schumaker said in a written statement. “This year’s awards continue to build on that tradition and SHPO looks forward to working collaboratively with these recipients to support important local efforts.”
The CLG program is a partnership among local, state and national governments concentrated on promoting historic preservation at the local level.
In coordination with SHPO, the National Park Service administers the program. Participation in the program is open to any community willing to meet basic program requirements and makes a community eligible for specialized technical assistance and programming from SHPO.
Participation in the CLG program also makes a community eligible for annual grants provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior and administered by SHPO.
The grants may be used for various preservation activities, such as historic resource surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, educational and heritage tourism initiatives, pre-development plans and studies and rehabilitation of certain historic properties.
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Charlevoix’ s grant will rehabilitate Charlevoix City Hall, constructed in 1939 by the Public Works Administration and located in the National Register-eligible Charlevoix Central Historic District.
Coldwater, in partnership with the Coldwater Community Center, Inc., is receiving funding to hire a contractor to complete a comprehensive structural engineering analysis of the Beech House, which will be used as a community center following rehabilitation.
Detroit ’s funding will be used to hire a contractor to digitize historic building survey documentation that will facilitate the Historic Designation Advisory Board’s ability to encourage informed decision-making as part of future city planning efforts, assist property owners and provide timely information to other city departments and boards, including the City of Detroit Historic District Commission.
Holland , in partnership with the Holland Museum, will hire a contractor to replace a failing roof at the Holland Museum. The new roof will eliminate water incursion and help secure the building shell.
Livonia ’s grant will hire a qualified contractor to develop design documents and plans for the South Barn at Greenmead Historical Park. The South Barn, part of the original Simmons Farm, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Washtenaw County , in partnership with the Dexter Area Historical Society (DAHS), will use the funding to hire a contractor to undertake rehabilitation activities at Gordon Hall, listed in the National Register.
CLG grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis. More information on the CLG program, funding opportunities and eligibility can be found at www.michigan.gov/CLGgrants.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Historic preservation grants go to 7 Michigan communities
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