City of Menominee to Receive $27,000 Historic Preservation Grant

Three Michigan communities recently awarded Certified Local Government Grants

Lansing, Mich. – The City of Menominee will receive a $27,000 Certified Local Government (CLG) grant according to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s State Historic Preservation Office.

“This is outstanding news for the people of Menominee and the entire area. It will help continue the revitalization of the historic opera house, which held its first musical event in 70 years last fall,” said Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba. “I applaud everyone who worked to help make this transformation a reality. As a result of their effort and both public and private funding, Menominee is preserving its past and breathing new life into a 112-year-old theater.”

The grant money will be used to remove the brick and replace with the formed metal cornice on the south facing façade of the Menominee Opera House.

“Communities benefit when public officials view historic resources and neighborhoods as assets and commit to preserve them,” State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway said. “There are 25 Certified Local Governments in Michigan. These communities demonstrate their commitment on an ongoing basis, so we are pleased to be able to support them with grant funding.”

The CLG grants are funded through the federal Historic Preservation Fund.

In addition to the Menominee’s grant, two more communities received CLG grants for historic preservation. They are:

• City of Detroit, $24,000 to hire a qualified contractor to provide plans and specifications detailing the reopening of the pass-through between the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
• City of Detroit, $33,000 to rehabilitate the Scarab Club roof and skylight, tear off the existing flat membrane roof system to the structural deck, replace damaged/rotten deck, and install new flashing.
• City of Saline, $33,000 for a qualified consultant to prepare a Condition Assessment Report for all 13 structures on the historic Rentschler Farm and to provide plans and specifications for structural and foundation rehabilitation of the Salvage Barn.

Certified Local Governments are counties, townships or cities that partner with the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to preserve their historic and cultural resources. CLGs demonstrate 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 annually 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 State Historic Preservation Office 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. Grants are announced each May. For more information on CLG funding, visit SHPO’s grant manuals website at:

http://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,1607,7-141-54317_54760_27123—,00.html