Coming Soon:
June 14 & June 15, 2011:
OPEN HEARING on PROPOSED DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICTS
6:00PM June 15, in the Community Hall
DONOVAN RYPKEMA Presentation on the Economic Benefits of Preservation
6:00PM June 14, Historic Community Hall
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Preserving Mackinac Island
Two upcoming events will help local residents decide the future of historic preservation on the Island
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Presentation on the Economic Benefits of Preservation
Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 6:00 p.m.,
Mackinac Island Community Hall
Donovan Rypkema, the Principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington DC-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, which specializes in services to public and non-profit sector clients who are dealing with downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization and the reuse of historic structures. Mr. Rypkema is recognized as an industry leader in the economics of preserving historic structures and has worked with such groups as the Urban Land Institute, the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, the American Planning Association, the International Downtown Association, International Town and City Centre Conference, the World Monuments Fund, the Center for Livable Communities and hundreds of other international, national, statewide and local organizations. He will speak on the benefits of adaptive reuse of historic buildings and how they can be incorporated into a heritage tourism-based economy.The event is free and open to the public.
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Public Hearing on Proposed Downtown Local Historic District
Wednesday, June 15, 6:00 p.m., Mackinac Island Community Hall
This past year, a local historic district study committee has evaluated Mackinac Island’s downtown commercial area as a potential local historic district. Comprised of local residents, the study committee was appointed by the city council in July 2010 when a resolution was passed to establish a downtown emergency moratorium. The moratorium curtails work that threatens irreparable harm to downtown buildings, such as demolition and changes that destroy historic character and features. The study report is now complete and a public hearing for the proposed downtown district is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday June 15 at Mackinac Island Community Hall. This public hearing is open to the public.
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For more information on either event, please contact Kelly Bean, Mayor’s Assistant, assistant@cityofmi.org 906-847-6556.
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More about the Donovan Rypkema Presentation:
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Development Pressure on Mackinac Island Draws Nationally Recognized Speaker in “Place” Economics
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Since the late 19th century Mackinac Island has been a popular tourist destination for Midwesterners seeking a unique place to visit – a car-free paradise with striking natural beauty, turn-of-the-century architecture, and a rich history that dates back to the 1780s. The island’s success as a heritage tourism destination and the historic character of the island are threatened by development, prompting a nationally recognized expert in the economics of historic preservation to speak to island residents and officials.
The entire eight-mile island is a National Historic Landmark and was designated one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2003. “Historic places as unique as Mackinac Island often struggle to find a balance between development and preservation,” states Janet Kreger, President of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. In recent years, this one-of-a-kind Michigan community, which is home to 485 year-round residents, has been threatened by development pressures. New construction and insensitive repairs to historic buildings could jeopardize the Island’s authenticity. “Mackinac Island has got to get this balance right,” emphasizes Kreger. “Other historic communities throughout Michigan – actually throughout the entire country – are watching and counting on it.”
The pending demolition of the 100-year-old McNally Cottage and the planned construction of a three-story mixed-use building in its place became the rallying point for a group of local residents who joined forces to preserve their local heritage. Island residents and an advocacy group called“Save Our Island,” raised awareness of the planned demolition and garnered nearly 300 signatures for a petition to declare a one-year emergency moratorium to delay the demolition. In July 2010 the Mackinac Island city council passed the moratorium. A local historic district study committee was appointed to evaluate the downtown commercial area’s potential as a local historic district. The study report is now complete.
A public hearing for the proposed district is scheduled for 6:00 pm, Wednesday, June 15 at Mackinac Island City Hall.
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In Michigan, the best means to protect historic properties is with the establishment of a local historic district under a historic district ordinance that enables review of work by a historic district commission. The city of Mackinac Island established its first local historic district in August 2010 for Hubbard’s Annex, a colony of summer cottages on the West Bluff. The creation of the downtown local historic district is supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, and the Michigan Historical Commission.
To find ways to preserve and protect its historic assets, the Mackinac Island community during the past two years has sought the assistance of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network; the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). A five-point preservation strategy plan was adopted by the city council, and the city obtained a federal grant through the SHPO to help fund it. The plan included a historic resources survey of the downtown, and the creation of design guidelines for the downtown assisted by nationally recognized planning firm Winter and Company. Several preservation-related education programs have also been held culminating in the appearance of Donovan Rypkema, the principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington D.C. firm. Rypkema will speak on the benefits of rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings and how they can be incorporated into a heritage tourism-based economy. He will speak at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, in the Mackinac Island Community Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
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Michigan Historic Preservation Network is the statewide preservation organization for Michigan. It is a nonprofit, membership organization and the 2007 recipient of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Trustees Award for Organizational Excellence and 2007 State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan. MHPN partners with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country’s largest private, nonprofit preservation organization. As partners, both organizations are dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable and providing leadership, education, advocacy and resources to save Michigan’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities.
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Past:
May 2011:
Nore Winter's Presentation of Design Guidelines for Historic District Contributing and Complimentary Structures
Held in the Community Hall, booklets provided to attendees, to be placed online at the following web site soon:
www.PreservationGuidelines.info
June 28, 2010:
Tax Credit Workshops
Community Hall, Mackinac Island
June 28th, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
Mackinac Island Historic Preservation
Incentives Workshop
Learn how to maximize federal and/or state tax credits on the rehabilitation of your historic commercial or residential property.
WHAT: A two-hour workshop that will teach you the basics of rehabilitation tax credits for historic commercial and residential property maintenance and redevelopment. Learn how to qualify, apply, and attain federal and state rehabilitation tax credits.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Historic commercial and residential property owners, developers, DDA directors and board members, planners, city managers, economic development professionals, Real estate professionals, CPAs, Main Street managers and attorneys.
WHERE: City Hall Community Room, 7358 Market Street, Mackinac Island
PRESENTED BY: Michigan Historic Preservation Network and National Trust for Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Office and Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
RSVP: Please make your reservation by Friday, June 25th to: Kelly Bean, assistant@cityofmi.org, or 906-847-6556.
MORE INFORMATION : Bryan Lijewski, SHPO, 517-373-1361, lijewskib@michigan.gov , or Nan Taylor, MHPN/NTHP, 231-920-6901, taylor@mhpn.org
