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Minutes - September 20, 2019
Minutes of the State Historic Preservation Review Board Meeting
September 20, 2019, 10:00 A.M.
Lake Michigan Room, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
300 North Washington Square, Lansing, Michigan
Kemba Braynon, Lane Demas, Misty Jackson, Janet Kreger, Brian Rebain, Krysta Ryzewski, Grace A.M. Smith
Rhonda Baker, Dale Gyure
Amy Arnold, Brian Conway, Alan Higgins, Debra Johnson, Katie Kolokithas, Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Nathan Nietering, Denise Slate, Stacy Tchorzynski, Diane Tuinstra, Todd Walsh
Bob Christensen, Abigail Gautreau, Alicia Whitcome, Tiffany Rakotz, Elaine Robinson, Ruth Mills, Saundra Little, Rev. Diallo Brown, Rev. Gary Bennett
Rebain called the meeting to order.
Motion to approve the agenda of the September 20, 2019 regular board meeting
Motion: Smith
Second: Kreger
Vote: 7-0
Motion to move approval of May 31, 2019 minutes.
Comments: Minor grammatical corrections from Kreger sent to Nietering to be incorporated.
Motion: Smith
Second: Ryzewski
Vote: 7-0
BRIAN D. CONWAY, STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
STACY TCHORZYNSKI, ARCHAEOLOGY
TODD WALSH, NATIONAL REGISTER COORDINATOR
Site: Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County
Presented by: Robert Christensen
Moved for Approval: Kreger
Seconded: Braynon
Vote: 7-0
Criteria: A, C, d
Level of Significance: Local
Comments: Kreger: This cemetery is such a standout. I like that this emphasizes the work of James Lewis Glenn, who is often unsung for his broad and diverse work across Michigan. Christensen: this is particularly lush and intact in terms of landscape features and trees. Demas - on pg. 40 in the discussion of the origins of Memorial Day, the text indicated southern women decorating graves were the origins of Decoration Day, but Demas might add that there is some uncertainty as to the origin. Jackson: Will there be a topographic map to help us associate this landscape within the community - yes there will. Smith: Including the site plans makes this meaningful and linking the photos with the landscape in the text helps give this understanding. She also noted a great introduction of what is contributing vs. what is non-contributing and then following that format throughout. One item that might need clarification is the architect Gerganoff - stating that he practiced through 1968, but then later that he died in 1966, so perhaps on pg. 18 this should be verified.
Site: Flint Municipal Center, Flint, Genesee County
Presented by: Elaine Robinson, Commonwealth Heritage Group
Moved for Approval: Kreger
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 7-0
Criteria: A, C
Level of Significance: Local
Comments: Smith: Sites vs. objects when considering resource count. SHPO will carefully review NPS guidance on this in order to get an accurate count. Kreger: What was the period of significance? This document lists 1957-1969, but it could be earlier, 1955 as that is when the plan was finalized. We need to double check the consistency to ensure these all match. The oral comments differ from the text dates. This municipal campus is impressive, like a "baby" GM Tech Center. Demas: The open housing movement was mentioned in the text but could be elaborated on slightly to better describe what happened to the neighborhood or what is beside the neighborhood at the time of its development. Kreger: Is there a sense in Flint that they know what they have with this complex? Robinson: yes, a third public presentation will be given next week to showcase the results of this research and nomination. Conway mentioned he could not think of any other complex like this - could this actually be state level of significance? It seems unique. Braynon added that there was a similar thoughtful planning process undertaken in Detroit with the city council building and Hart Plaza, which were equally unique with the campus development idea with large broad grass areas. Kreger: What would it take to make it State level? Walsh replied that it is mostly a function of capacity - there is a good case for this, but it would be outside of the scope of this contract for nomination.
Site: Twentieth Century Civil Rights Sites in the City of Detroit, 1900-1976 Multiple Property Documentation Form
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Jackson
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: N/A
Level of Significance: National
Note: This, and the subsequent Civil Rights-related nominations, are all the result of an NPS grant award to MISHPO, which was passed through to Quinn Evans Architects to undertake. The Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) will allow other related sites to be nominated in the future.
Comments: Jackson: the category that I did not see included was 'D,' for potential to yield future information, why was this not included? Also, municipal boundaries and neighborhood maps would be useful to give context to this material and help non-Detroiters know what part(s) of the city is being discussed. The municipal boundaries were fluid at different times in the period of significance. Ryzewski added that there will, at some point, be archaeological components that relate to this. Kreger wondered if there could be space holder language to indicate that as new research is completed, it is likely there will be future below-ground resources discovered and researched which will be able to add to this documentation. Stacy: we specifically chose to have an archaeological survey undertaken at the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects during demolition since this is one of the few sites strictly affiliated with the 20th century African American community. Braynon added that she wanted to commend Quinn Evans' work on this nomination that provides an excellent broad sweep of the story which will allow for future nominations. She continued that she appreciated the discussion of integrity, including potential loss of integrity, and the specific references that some sites, even with loss of integrity, should still be considered due to significance.
Demas: the periods of significance were defined by the NPS framework document, right? Mills responded that is correct. Demas: The statistics of the 1963 March really helped make the case for the national level of significance and role that Detroit played. Later, pg. 15, Motown was key in promoting the racial integration of music in the 1960s, but is this accurate? Maybe the 'integration of the audiences listening to the music' might be more accurate. Also, where "block busting" is used, typically that is seen as a single word. Jackson: Since this is an introductory document, it would be helpful to have some key dates added to help us understand how related sites and events fit in. Rebain asked will photos be included? Mills responded that no, but maps will be included with the final product, which will help provide geographic reference.
Site: Birwood Wall, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Ryzewski
Seconded: Braynon
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: A
Level of Significance: National
Comments: Jackson: It is shocking that this exists - do people who live in the neighborhood actually know the history and significance of the wall? Mills responded that the wall has received increasing awareness and significance over the past 10 years, and a book on the topic was recently published. Braynon: There were good quotes in the nomination acknowledging that this is the last fully intact wall for this purpose, how did the community support this designation? Mills responded that the neighborhood is generally in support of the designation and tourism aspect, and want to share this story, even though it reflects a troubling and sad era. Kreger added that you almost don't even see it because it is so innocuous. Demas stated that this is a great example of why the history of Civil Rights in the north is so much more difficult to describe, because so few physical structures remain or existed in the first place. Ryzewski noted it is interesting because the wall runs along the property line, but is essentially on private property. It's interesting how some of the individual property owners curate their own portion of the wall within their own property. Braynon inquired what entity owns it? Mills responded that it is not known, but they will check because it will affect future maintenance and protection. .
Demas asked if there was intentional discussion of using 'Birwood Wall' as opposed to an alternate name. Mills replied that this is how members of the neighborhood refer to it most commonly. Kreger noted that at some point portions of this wall will need maintenance, and decisions will need to be made about how to deal with graffiti. What will the treatment path(s) be? Ryzewski added there will likely be archaeological potential for this area, the wall site, at the Alfonso-Wells Memorial Park, and elsewhere within 8 Mile-Wyoming. Walsh added it would be easy to add a paragraph discussing the potential for sites to be present and that there will be more to learned from this area about its history. Jackson wondered if there is more oral history put into this document for the site? Mills responded that no additional oral histories were planned. Ryzewski inquired about the choice of 1950 as the cutoff date for significance? Mills responded it was the sense that in 1950, someone moved beyond the wall "color" barrier, and it began a trickle of integration. It showed the evidence of the futility of the wall and its purpose. Braynon asked if there is any interest in designating this as a local historic district? Mills replied that is not known at this time.
Site: New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Smith
Seconded: Kreger
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: A, B, a
Level of Significance: National
Comments: Rebain mentioned it looked like Nathan Johnson was not included under architect/builder, but this may have been an inadvertent omission. Rebain also pointed out that it's hard to not mention Aretha Franklin right up front, and he sensed some restraint in the text. Mills responded it was difficult to consider whether this should be included using criterion B, but by the time of the period of significance here, Aretha was living elsewhere and would only come back occasionally. Kreger and Demas agreed with the treatment as presented in the nomination. Demas added that Rev. Franklin had national prominence before and separate from Aretha's musical renown.
Site: Rosa (McCauley) and Raymond Parks Flat, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Jackson
Seconded: Smith
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: B
Level of Significance: National
Comments: Smith asked if in the documentation, is it clear that the upper level is included for nomination along with the lower flat which the Parks actually occupied? She pointed out that it should be clear why little is being discussed about the upper level. The integrity is outstanding and this should be better highlighted in at least a statement. Rebain noted there is one statement about high level integrity. Kreger noted text references to "West Side" neighborhood vs. "Old West Side," and this should be reviewed for consistency. Ryzewski added that the neighborhood nomenclature is sometimes difficult to interpret. Demas asked if there was thought about listing both Rosa and Raymond Parks in the name, or just Rosa Parks. Walsh explained that the convention for the Register is to list both names, with the more prominent name listed first. The gender angle is really important in terms of female activism and is constantly being overlooked. Demas continued that the narrative often discusses how militant or radical black nationalism something may have been. The threads of it vary. One example, on Pg. 18 - how "radical?" Kreger asked if that discussion of the radical side is something that comes from NPS material? Mills explained that there is discussion of multiple approaches in primary sources. Demas stated black nationalism and the black power movement were not one and the same. The specter of violence maybe a better division for bifurcation. Walsh agreed there is need here for clarification.
Site: Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Kreger
Seconded: Ryzewski
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: A, B, a
Level of Significance: National
Comments: Smith pointed out that in both of this meeting's church nominations, it discusses the excellent job churches did to bring the intellectual discussion and inspiration to their congregations and really to the entire city. This was well-captured in the nominations. Kreger asked about referring to the July 1967 activities as "the rebellion." Braynon indicated this was the direction Quinn Evans received from the African American Advisory Board as generally accepted, and the nomination follows this convention of using 'rebellion' instead of 'riot.'
Site: WGPR-TV, Detroit, Wayne County
Presented by: Ruth Mills, Quinn Evans Architects
Moved for Approval: Smith
Seconded: Baker
Vote: 6-0 (Abstain: Braynon)
Criteria: A, g
Level of Significance: National
Comments: None.
Lunch (Board and Staff) Motion to break for lunch at 1:12. Reconvene at 1:36.
AMY ARNOLD, STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
Board Comments: Kreger asked what the motivation was for this local district? Arnold responded that the amphitheater was recently named in Franklin’s memory and the local designation may be another way to commemorate this legacy. Ryzewski added that a major archaeological component was ignored. Rebain pointed out that the Indigenous era through early settlement and shipbuilding/industry are not mentioned.
Board Comments: Jackson stated that since the Board didn’t receive a good map, we don’t have a good understanding of if the land is where the outbuildings once were and what archaeological resources there may be/have been. This proposal is basically a done deal. Jackson asked what the Board can do? Arnold responded that the Board can provide comments on what the report is lacking and provide guidance on what the process should be. This development threat has been a repeated issue for the Cherry Hill Local Historic District.
January 17, 2020
Motion to adjourn: Smith
Seconded: Braynon
Vote: 7-0
Meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
Prepared by Nathan Nietering