Minutes - May 31, 2019

Minutes of the State Historic Preservation Review Board Meeting

May 31, 2019, 10:00 A.M.
Board Room, Fourth Floor, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
735 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Rhonda Baker, Kemba Braynon, Lane Demas, Misty Jackson, Janet Kreger, Brian Rebain, Krysta Ryzewski, Grace Smith

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

Dale Gyure

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT

Amy Arnold, Brian Conway, Debra Ball Johnson, Katie Kolokithas, Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Nathan Nietering, Stacy Tchorzyski, Diane Tuinstra, Todd Walsh

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT

Bob Christiansen, Caitlynn Newman, Cody Newman, Jill Anderson, Bonnie Mickelson, Tim Dewick, Tyson McCarthy, Bill Rutter, Ruth Mills, Dawn Bilobran, Ryan Schumaker, Tiffany Rakotz, Kristine Kidorf

CALL TO ORDER

Rebain called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion to approve the agenda of May 31, 2019 regular board meeting
Motion: Smith
Second: Ryzewski
Vote: 8-0

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 18, 2019

Motion to move approval of January 19, 2019 minutes.
Comments: Kreger provided written comments in advance by email to make minor changes to her own words.

Motion: Baker, with Kreger's amendments
Second: Kreger
Vote: 8-0

OTHER BOARD BUSINESS

Hamtramck Log Cabin/Hardest Hit Fund

The board discussed the recent situation in which a blighted house owned by a land bank was demolished in Detroit, using federal Hardest Hit Funds. The blighted house was discovered to be built around the frame of a much earlier log cabin structure. Despite advance knowledge of the existence of the cabin contained within (about 2 months) and a contingent offer by the Hamtramck Historical Society to carefully remove the log cabin components for reconstruction elsewhere, the contract for demolition was issued and the entire building was demolished.

Hardest Hit Funds are exempted from Section 106 consultation. The Department of the Treasury had previously determined that HHF work is not considered an undertaking and therefore not subject to 106. The main issue being discussed today is that there is no contingency plan for what to do when unexpected cultural resources are encountered.

SHPO colleagues at MSHDA are currently reviewing and updating the program manual for Hardest Hit, and SHPO will collaborate with HHF staff to develop new language to be added to the program manual that addresses situations that involve unanticipated discoveries of cultural resources.

Copies of the document “Hardest Hit Blight Elimination Program – June 2016 Notice of Funding Availability” (currently in effect) were provided to board members, which will have revised language incorporated.

The board also acknowledged recent publicity relating to improper oversight of land bank contractors and other health and wellness issues that have arisen. Legislative representatives have spoken out about this issue.

The board made two motions:

Motion: for SHPO staff to draft a letter to be signed by State Review Board chair Rebain highlighting the issue of cultural resource consideration, to be sent to Senators Lawrence, Tlaib, Garrett, and Detroit city council president Mary Sheffield.
Motion: Smith
Second: Braynon
Vote: 8-0

Motion: of support for language to be added to the Hardest Hit Fund program manual clarifying what to do in the case of locating unanticipated discoveries.
Motion: Braynon
Second: Ryzewski
Vote: 8-0

STAFF REPORTS

BRIAN D. CONWAY, STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER

MSHDA Director Earl Poleski left his position on April 1. Gary Heidel is now the Acting Director of MSHDA until a permanent replacement is found. New Student Assistant Denise Slate was hired and will start this coming week to help primarily with data management for the MISHPO site and map database system. Also working on hiring a limited term specialist to help us scan our collection of archaeological site maps.

Moving forward on our 5 Year Historic Preservation Plan, which is due to NPS in Nov. 2019. The plan is not for SHPO alone but to help guide all preservation activates across the state. Five public workshops are being held this spring around the state to be followed by a stakeholder meeting to further define concerns, goals and priorities. Based on the 5-year plan, SHPO will work to craft its own initial two-year workplan to focus on these areas. Brian Lijewski has been conducting site visits for our MLAP grant program to inspect completed work and view sites where work is about to begin. Three lighthouse grants were awarded for this year: North Manitou Light, Grosse Ile Light, and Eagle Harbor Light.

Section 106 project update: The Pere Marquette Railroad Bascule Bridge in Port Huron. The private owner wants to demolish the bridge, which would require a Coast Guard permit, triggering the 106 process. A stakeholders meeting was held in late 2018; included the yacht club owners of the bridge and a “friends” group that wants to acquire the bridge. The USCG presented MISHPO with an agreement SHPO did not find to acceptable due to adverse effect, and therefore have terminated SHPO participation in the consultation process, a very rare step. SHPO’s termination of consultation sent the consultation process back to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the federal agency. USCG has not yet issued its permit. Brian Conway and Amy Arnold will be receiving an award in June from the American Institute of Architects for their work on the Michigan Modern project.

STACY TCHORZYNSKI, ARCHAEOLOGY

Jessica Yann will be recognized for her work after 9 years as the archaeology student assistant. The position will be open shortly. Thanks to Michigan Historic Preservation Network for their excellent conference earlier this month and for including several archaeology sessions.

Michigan Archaeology Day is October 19 this year at the Michigan History Center (MHC). MHC has also received a Michigan Humanities Council grant to develop an annual Michigan Anishinaabe Day event.

TODD WALSH, NATIONAL REGISTER COORDINATOR

An excerpt was provided from the latest NCSHPO newsletter – the federal house appropriations committee criticized the recently proposed rule changes to the National Register as baseless and unnecessary.

In National Register listings news, since the last Review Board meeting several sites were formally listed by NPS: W. Hawkins Ferry house, Marwood Apartments, Tibbits Opera House and River Raisin Battlefield boundary increase in Monroe. Coming up for our September meeting: Highland Cemetery, several Civil Rights project nominations and the Flint Municipal Center.

NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS

Site: Sault Ste. Marie Historic Commercial District, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County
Presented by: William Rutter
Moved for Approval: Kreger
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Smith stated this designation will be an important asset for spurring economic activity in the community. Kreger added this nomination includes a nicely developed history, outlining various pushes of architectural style and the ethnic history which dominated the city during specific time periods. Kreger asked Walsh what happens to the research information that is not included in the final nomination? Walsh replied that all the research information will create a survey report. Katie Kolokithas of SHPO added that NPS has indicated they want the detailed research information to be included in a survey report, which will be the new process to preserve this documentation and keep it more accessible and useable on a building by building basis.

Demas asked about usage of “the Sault” vs. “the Soo” vs. “The City of Sault Sainte Marie” and noted that it would be helpful to clarify the historic nickname and standardize its use in the narrative, also to clarify if is it applied just to the city or the region or a different geographic space. Demas also noted there is a line that mentions the contemporary Greek Orthodox church serving the existing population, but is it still only serving the Greek community or is it the wider local community? (pg. 106)

Site:North Lansing Historic Commercial District (Additional Documentation and Boundary Increase), Lansing, Ingham County
Presented by: William Rutter
Moved for Approval: Baker
Seconded: Jackson
Vote: 7-0 (Recused: Kreger)
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Note: Kreger recused herself from participation in the presentation and discussion, and left the room during this agenda item.

Comments: None.

Site: Checker Cab Taxi Garage and Office Building, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Jackson
Seconded: Baker
Vote: 7-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Tyson McCarthy, representing the developer, thanked Ms. Mills for her excellent presentation and highlighted that the Checker Cab Building is one of the few remaining historic structures which maintain the character of the era and an association with the former Tiger Stadium/Navin Field. Jackson asked for clarification if the 1951 Checker Taxi in a presentation photo is included in the nomination. McCarthy responded that it is not. Ryzewski noted that it was fascinating to read the history of the taxi business in Detroit and Checker’s growth. Kreger gave appreciation to Ms. Mills for the detailed history of the taxi industry which is incorporated into this document. Conway asked how they handled ventilation in the parking structure, historically. McCarthy responded that before it was against code, people just breathed the carbon monoxide in.

Site: Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church Parish Complex, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Kristine Kidorf, Kidorf Preservation Consulting
Moved for Approval: Braynon
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Smith pointed out the fence posts along the street level and inquired if there was a reason these were not included as a structure or landscape feature within this district nomination? Conway indicated it would be important to add this feature. Kreger asked what the motivation was of the church to pursue the designation. Kidorf responded that the archdiocese wanted to do a joint project for the school to convert it into 19 units of affordable housing, so the end goal is a tax credit rehabilitation.

Site: Saint Joseph Seminary, Grand Rapids, Kent County
Presented by: Kristine Kidorf, Kidorf Preservation Consulting
Moved for Approval: Baker
Seconded: Kreger
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Kreger noted that all of the buildings are called out individually, but the Convent building is not listed in the inventory of significant dates (1944) on pg. 10, and asked if this could be added. Kreger also asked about the future of the property. Kidorf responded that the main building will be parceled off and redeveloped as affordable housing. Smith noted that the Circle Drive seems to be an incredibly important feature but Kidorf could not determine if it was original. Conway mentioned that significant landscape features should be called out specifically to highlight their importance. Demas asked about the use of the phrase “Irish or European” on pg. 12 in the history of Catholicism. Kidorf indicated that line will be revised. Smith inquired why criterion C is not being considered. Kidorf responded that the mid-century buildings are nice but not exemplary of the work of the firms involved.

Site: Hessel School, Clark Township, Mackinac County
Presented by: Debra Ball Johnson, State Historic Preservation Office
Moved for Approval: Kreger
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Kreger highlighted how the nomination discussed Colonial Revivalism and how elastic it was to accommodate local materials into the formal detailing of the style. Bonnie Mickelson from Hessel indicated that almost all of the workmen who did the recent rehabilitation of the building had ancestors who had previously attended school in the building when it was open between 1938 and 1958. Demas asked about Native American terminology and standardization for the purposes of this document – the usage of “Chippewa” vs. “Ojibwa” vs. “Anishinaabe.” Walsh appreciated any insight into appropriate standardized terminology and will get assistance from Tchorzynski. Jackson added that using “Anishinaabe” would be most inclusive and consistent for the reader if not familiar. Smith asked if the low limestone wall was original. Mickelson replied that the wall is present in the original photo. Smith suggested it be listed as a landscape feature in the nomination, all agreed. Walsh indicated that there were eleven letters of support, including letters from state legislators from this district.

Lunch break began at 12:39. The board reconvened at 12:58.

Site: Record Printing and Box Company Building, Battle Creek, Calhoun County
Presented by: Cody Newman, Driven Design Studio
Moved for Approval: Smith
Seconded: Ryzewski
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Kreger inquired about the significance of the interior stairway; perhaps it should be further highlighted. Smith: In the Statement of Significance summary, a discussion of Criteria C should be included. Rebain stated that the exterior windows could use more detailed descriptions to further highlight the differences between all extant designs.

Site: Grosfield Building, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Dawn Bilobran, 313 Historic Preservation
Moved for Approval with recommendations made by the Board: Baker
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: Kreger inquired if because these two share a party wall, can they not be considered in the same nomination? Walsh replied that they were built separately at different times, and did not connect internally, so must be considered separately if not in a district. Smith stated that there is no question as to the architectural significance of Grosfield and Reeber, but in the context of the Criteria A German immigrant story, isn’t that more appropriate for a district nomination to highlight the broader story across potentially multiple blocks? The compromised rear elevations due to structural loss are not of major concern to the nomination because the facades are fully intact and the rear did not contain any character defining features. Ryzewski highlighted in referencing Criteria A, after the 1880s, the population of the city doubled every decade and the ethnic diversity only grows. But as anchors of a west Detroit German community, this homogeneous ethnic neighborhood did not last intact without change. For the Grosfield Building, the stated period of significance lasting well beyond World War I does not match up to an ethnic German enclave. If we are going to keep Criteria A, it would seem most appropriate that this ethnic narrative be broadened. Kreger asked if the the period of significance for Grosfield could be revised. A change in the period of significance and acknowledgement of the changing demographics of the neighborhood through these first decades of the 20th century could be done. Demas added that he was concerned about the characterization of the German people in contradictory fashions.

Smith asked about nominating only under Criteria C. Conway stated that if only nominating under Criteria C, consideration of the integrity and the structural loss on the rear of both buildings may impact a final decision to list. SHPO staff had discussed this at length. Rebain summarized that the risk is trying to push the individual listings through with Criteria A with emphasis on ethnic or commercial history, NPS may indicate that this is laying the foundation of a district and they may send it back. Kreger added that the immigration story is worth telling because there is a cultural ethnic cohesiveness which is not really seen anymore. Conway stated that he is not sure Michigan has ever nominated an individual building with this degree of integrity loss; a second route would be to nominate them as a district, where these buildings would likely be contributing resources and therefore be eligible for tax credits, but a district may require wider boundaries and more research, and therefore more time. Kreger summarized that condensing the German ethnic story further, aligning the periods of significance to reflect this, and emphasizing the architectural significance would present clearer, cleaner nominations to approve at this time.

Site: Reeber Building, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Dawn Bilobran, 313 Historic Preservation
Moved for Approval with recommendations made by the Board: Baker
Seconded: Bryanon
Vote: 8-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local

Comments: See previous item, Grosfield Building nomination

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT STUDY COMMITTEE REPORTS

AMY ARNOLD, STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Pure Word Missionary Baptist Church/Eighth Church of Christ Scientist, Detroit, Wayne County
Comments by Arnold:
The Report does not follow the National Register guidelines for naming historic properties or for the period of significance.
There should be more information on the building program that resulted from Mary Rackham’s donation, since it was a significant event that defined construction of Christian Science churches in Detroit. There should be more information on those churches—their history, style and architects, to place this church in its context and meet the requirements under National Register Consideration A for Religious Properties that the church is significant for its architecture. The report should put more focus on the history of the building, and less on the history of the current owner, who purchased the building in 2005.
Current photographs should be included.
Shalom Fellowship International Ministries/Fourteenth Avenue Episcopal Church, Detroit, Wayne County
Comments by Arnold:
This report also does not follow the National Register naming criteria.
We don’t think the case was made that this church is significant under National Register criteria A. Consideration A Religious properties must be applied when developing the significance for a church. All that was presented in the report was that the church was the result of the consolidation of two smaller congregations. We recommend only using Criterion C architecture for its significance.
Since the church design is attributed to architect Norman Atcheson, there should be more history on him and his work and career. The information in the report focuses mainly on his partner, Alvin Harley, who left the firm in 1912.
There are almost two and half pages on the history of the current owner who purchased the property in 1985. The purpose of a study committee report is to document the history the property, which is defined by the National Register criteria as over 50 years old.
There should be a site map that shows the location of the rectory to the church. Photographs of the rectory should be included and keyed to the map.

APPEALS

None.

DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS

September 20, 2019
January 17, 2020

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn: Smith
Seconded: Jackson
Vote: 8-0
Meeting adjourned at 2:02 p.m.

Prepared by Nathan Nietering

Michigan State Historic Preservation Review Board Meeting Minutes May 31, 2019