July 14, 2010
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Michigan State Housing Development Authority

 

LANSING – The Michigan Main Street Center, a part of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy (STARS) Division, in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), recently unveiled renderings for proposed façade improvements for three buildings in downtown Portland. The buildings are: 108-110 Kent Street (Duff Chadwicks & Associates), 123-125 Kent Street (Around the Block Quilt Shop and Donna Marie's Studio of Dance), and 136-140 Kent Street (PCMI-West).

The buildings are located within Portland's designated National Register of Historic Places district. The recommended improvements will aid in the Portland Main Street program's efforts towards revitalizing the downtown. The SHPO's Main Street Architect, Kelly Larson, created the renderings after meeting with the owners of each building to discuss short and long-term improvements. These improvements will address the needs of the existing businesses while maintaining and enhancing the historic character of the buildings.

The short-term recommendations focused primarily on repainting the buildings and completing routine maintenance. The long-term recommendations, based on historic photos of the buildings, included repairing original windows, cleaning and repointing masonry, installing new storefronts with large display windows and transoms, and replacing missing historic features such as cornices and brackets. Also recommended were paint schemes, signage designs, and awning fabrics unique to each building.
 
"The intent of the proposed designs is to outline a plan for improvements for the buildings that will benefit the businesses while retaining and enhancing Portland's identity as a historic community," Larson said.
 
Michigan Main Street Manager Laura Krizov explained, "The goal of these renderings is to help communities envision what they can be in the future. Historic preservation is a key tool for revitalizing communities and creating the types of places Michigan's downtowns and neighborhoods need to be in order to retain and attract businesses and residents."
 
The property owners applied for this no-cost design service through the Portland Main Street program. Such renderings are just one of the benefits communities receive by being part of the program. Before receiving these design services, property or business owners must have participated in the "Main Street Building Basics" training provided by the Michigan Main Street Center and the SHPO.
 
The Michigan Main Street Center and State Historic Preservation Office are part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cites and neighborhoods.*
 
For more information on the Michigan Main Street program and other benefits communities receive as part of the program, go to www.michiganmainstreetcenter.com.