Establishing a Historic District Commission
The Richter Brewery Historic District Study Committee has been working hard for the last six months with the City of Escanaba on the formation of Escanaba’s first Historic District. Thanks go out to members Chairman Peter Strom, Carolyn Stacey, Nancy Mathews, Don Curran, and Pat Baribeau. Thanks also go out to developer Matt Sviland, City Manager Jim O’Toole the Planning Commission, and the City Council. This Historic District will be called a “Single Resource” Historic District which will encompass just the Richter Brewery Building property at 1615 Ludington Street. The Richter Brewery Building will be converted into a mixed-used development project involving retail/commercial space on the first floor and luxury loft-style apartments on the upper three floors by owners Matt and Beth Sviland.
In 1970 the Michigan legislature enacted Public Act 169, Michigan’s Local Historic District Act. What this law did was declare historic preservation as a public purpose to safeguard a communities, heritage, strengthen local economies, stabilized and improve property values, foster civic beauty and promote history. The law allows local communities to adopt a historic district ordinance that contains design review guidelines based upon national standards and also to appoint a historic district commission to implement the ordinance. It is really the community’s responsibility to decide which resources are significant to its history.
The process that is continuing at this point is the Ordinance review process that the City Council follows when considering the passage of a new ordinance. At the October 1, 2009 City Council meeting last week, the first reading was read. At the October 15th meeting, the City Council will hold the second reading. The City Council will then be asked to adopt the Historic District Ordinance. The City Council will also be asked to formally approve the establishment of the Richter Brewery Historic District. The third item that the City Council will be asked to do is appoint a Historic District Commission. That’s where you come in! If you have an interest in historic preservation and are familiar with our community’s history, you would be a good candidate to be a member of this newly formed commission. Candidates should also be familiar with architectural styles and their distinctive features. If you have an interest in this area there are information packets at the DDA office at 1025 Ludington Street and also at the City Library. You will also need to fill out an application that needs to be turned into the City Clerk’s office by October 13th. These applications are also on-line at escanaba.org or can be picked up at the City Clerk’s office. It is anticipated that the City Council will appoint these seven commissioners at the October 15th City council meeting. Please don’t hesitate to get involved in this worthwhile endeavor. Feel free to call the DDA office too at 789-8696 if you have any questions.
The Richter Brewery Historic District Study Committee has been working hard for the last six months with the City of Escanaba on the formation of Escanaba’s first Historic District. Thanks go out to members Chairman Peter Strom, Carolyn Stacey, Nancy Mathews, Don Curran, and Pat Baribeau. Thanks also go out to developer Matt Sviland, City Manager Jim O’Toole the Planning Commission, and the City Council. This Historic District will be called a “Single Resource” Historic District which will encompass just the Richter Brewery Building property at 1615 Ludington Street. The Richter Brewery Building will be converted into a mixed-used development project involving retail/commercial space on the first floor and luxury loft-style apartments on the upper three floors by owners Matt and Beth Sviland.
In 1970 the Michigan legislature enacted Public Act 169, Michigan’s Local Historic District Act. What this law did was declare historic preservation as a public purpose to safeguard a communities, heritage, strengthen local economies, stabilized and improve property values, foster civic beauty and promote history. The law allows local communities to adopt a historic district ordinance that contains design review guidelines based upon national standards and also to appoint a historic district commission to implement the ordinance. It is really the community’s responsibility to decide which resources are significant to its history.
The process that is continuing at this point is the Ordinance review process that the City Council follows when considering the passage of a new ordinance. At the October 1, 2009 City Council meeting last week, the first reading was read. At the October 15th meeting, the City Council will hold the second reading. The City Council will then be asked to adopt the Historic District Ordinance. The City Council will also be asked to formally approve the establishment of the Richter Brewery Historic District. The third item that the City Council will be asked to do is appoint a Historic District Commission. That’s where you come in! If you have an interest in historic preservation and are familiar with our community’s history, you would be a good candidate to be a member of this newly formed commission. Candidates should also be familiar with architectural styles and their distinctive features. If you have an interest in this area there are information packets at the DDA office at 1025 Ludington Street and also at the City Library. You will also need to fill out an application that needs to be turned into the City Clerk’s office by October 13th. These applications are also on-line at escanaba.org or can be picked up at the City Clerk’s office. It is anticipated that the City Council will appoint these seven commissioners at the October 15th City council meeting. Please don’t hesitate to get involved in this worthwhile endeavor. Feel free to call the DDA office too at 789-8696 if you have any questions.
posted by DDA @ 1:21 PM
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