2013 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation Presented at State Capitol

LANSING, Mich., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Burney Johnson, deputy director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway presented 20 recipients with 2013 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation today in the state capitol.

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"It is important to recognize the people transforming Michigan by rehabilitating our historic buildings and downtowns and protecting our archaeological sites," said Johnson. "The Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation enable us to thank these people for dedicating their time, their energy and their financial resources to make a difference for Michigan."

The six groups recognized this year preserved historic buildings. "We present the Governor's Awards in May because it is National Historic Preservation Month," said Conway. "Historic preservation has a huge impact on communities because underutilized or abandoned buildings are once again being used: people are living and working in them; they are brought back onto property tax rolls; they are once again community assets. That has an economic impact and it affects the way people feel about their communities."

In Michigan historic rehabilitation projects using historic preservation tax credits generated more than $1.7 billion in investment in Michigan communities between 2000 and 2012. In 2012 alone, completed historic rehabilitation projects in Michigan totaled more than $118 million.

"We urge planners and other community leaders to consider historic properties' unique assets and to capitalize on those assets. The Governor's Awards helps educate and raise awareness of the possibilities for redevelopment," said Conway.

The 2013 recipients are:

• Ferris State University and its Kendall College of Art and Design, Christman Capital Development Company, the Christman Company, TowerPinkster Architects, Hopkins Burns Design Studio, and the City of Grand Rapids for the rehabilitation of the US Federal Building (Kendall College of Art and Design), Grand Rapids
  
  
• The Old Rugged Cross Foundation, Inc., D. Layman Construction Company, and the Community of Pokagon Township, for the restoration of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon (Old Rugged Cross Church), Pokagon Township, Cass County
  
  
• Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc., Tom Roberts, Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., Grand River Builders, Inc., and the Greater Coldwater Community for the restoration of the Tibbits Opera House, Coldwater
  
  
• Glenn D. and Jeanine Head Miller for the rehabilitation of the Milton and Kittie Geer House, Superior Township, Washtenaw County
  
  
• Neighborhood Service Organization; Fusco, Shaffer and Pappas; O'Brien Edwards Construction; and Kidorf Preservation Consulting for the rehabilitation of the Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse (NSO Bell Building), Detroit
  
  
• The Detroit Land Bank Authority for demonstrating a true understanding of the value of historic preservation through the NSP2 rehabilitations it completed in Detroit historic districts

The State Historic Preservation Office, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, initiated the award program in 2003 to recognize outstanding historic preservation achievements reflecting a commitment to the preservation of Michigan's unique character and the many cultural resources that document Michigan's past. Previous recipient projects include private residences whose owners used state historic preservation tax credits, the rehabilitation of the Ottawa Street Power Station in Lansing; the excavation and study of the Riley Mammoth Site in Ionia County by the University of Michigan; the rehabilitation of De Tour Reef Lighthouse; the rehabilitation of the Richter Brewery in Escanaba, and window rehabilitation workshops taught by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network.

To learn about previous Governor's Award projects, go to: www.michigan.gov/shpo.

The State Historic Preservation Office is part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) , which provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is financed in part by a grant from the National Park Service, Department of Interior. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on its federally funded assistance programs.  If you believe you've been discriminated against please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington DC 20240.

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority