Snyder Announces 2013 Awards for Historic Preservation

May 1 Ceremony Set for Capitol Rotunda

LANSING, Mich., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the selection of the 2013 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/MM85741LOGO)

The State Historic Preservation Office, part of MSHDA, 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.

"The projects we recognize demonstrate the difference historic preservation makes in our communities," Snyder said. "The rehabilitation and reuse of existing buildings, particularly in our cities, is vital to spurring economic development and preserving a sense of place."

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.

"Preserving our historic and archaeological sites takes hard work and collaboration," MSHDA Executive Director Scott Woosley said. "Each of the six teams of people being recognized this year demonstrated outstanding commitment to doing everything right and to working together to make good things happen."

Two of the six projects, the Tibbits Opera House and the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon (Old Rugged Cross Church) represent years of effort by local citizens to raise money and volunteers to restore significant buildings in their communities.

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 the value of historic preservation through the NSP2 rehabilitations it completed in Detroit historic districts

"Each year the Governor's Award program gives us an opportunity to recognize and thank just some of the people responsible for preserving Michigan's rich cultural heritage," said State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway. "The projects we recognize are merely a fraction of the work being done throughout Michigan to preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, and transform communities."

Recipients will receive their awards during a public ceremony at 9 a.m. May 1 in the Michigan State Capitol Rotunda.

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