SHPO Awards Historic Preservation Grants

LANSING, Mich., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) today announced awards of historic preservation grants to four Michigan communities.

Allegan, Detroit, Holland and Mount Clemens will share in Certified Local Government (CLG) grants totaling $146,865. The awards, ranging from $63,665 to $3,100, are funded through the federal Historic Preservation Fund.

"Preserving historic sites starts at the local level with a commitment among citizens and public officials alike," State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway said. "Michigan's 23 Certified Local Governments have demonstrated such a commitment, and it is my pleasure to support four of these communities in their efforts to preserve important historic buildings."

The grants were awarded as follows:

Recipient: City of Allegan
Award Amount: $3,100
Use of Funds: Hire a qualified consultant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places addendum/additional documentation nomination materials for the existing Allegan Downtown Historic District in Allegan. This will expand the district's period of significance from its current end date of 1930, to 1970, in order to recognize buildings constructed and renovated during the 1930-70 time period as contributing to the district's historic character.

Recipient: Belle Isle Conservancy (Detroit)
Award Amount: $63,665
Use of Funds: Continuation of the fiscal year 2013 CLG grant for the Belle Isle Aquarium: repair and repoint masonry, repair and paint exterior woodwork, repair/replace wood windows, make structural repairs to the chimney. This is the third CLG grant award for the rehabilitation of the Belle Isle Aquarium.

Recipient: City of Holland
Award Amount: $56,100
Use of Funds: Rehabilitate and restore 24 windows at the Holland Museum, located in the 1914 Post Office building; fabricate and install custom size and color storm windows.

Recipient: City of Mount Clemens
Award Amount: $24,000
Use of Funds: Replace the roof on the National Register of Historic Places-listed 1859 Grand Trunk Western Rail Station (Mount Clements Depot) with synthetic slate shingles to match the original slate shingles and re-flash four chimneys.

Certified Local Governments are counties, townships or cities that partner with the SHPO and the National Park Service to preserve their historic and cultural resources. CLGs demonstrate an ongoing commitment to historic preservation through the enactment of a historic preservation ordinance, the formation of a historic district commission, the ongoing survey and designation of properties, and public education.

CLG grants are awarded each May on a competitive basis. All grants must be matched with local funds or donations and are available on a reimbursement basis only. Project activities must have measurable results. The SHPO welcomes innovative proposals that promote historic preservation. The intent of the CLG grant program is to augment, rather than replace, existing local financial commitment to historic preservation activities.

For more information on CLG funding, visit SHPO's grant manuals on the web at 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.

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.

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SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority