Mount Pleasant's historic district receives national recognition


Forty six buildings downtown now considered historical treasures


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A Mount Pleasant resident shops at the Downtown Discount Party Store in the early evening Thursday Feb. 5.

Mount Pleasant's downtown historic district is now listed as a U.S. icon on the National Parks Service's National Register of Historic Places.

Cities on the registry are considered significant national treasures. The addition of the historic district is a first for the city — only a handful of its historic buildings were considered significant on the state level.

"Being awarded historic status shows not only a commitment to protecting our collective heritage, but it also allows the district to receive tax credits and facade improvement grants," said Michelle Sponseller, Mount Pleasant's downtown development director. 

To earn registry status, a building or a site must be at least 25 years old. Buildings must also have profound architectural significance. Mount Pleasant's 8-block historic district beats that requirement three-fold, as most of its 46 buildings were constructed between the 1800s and the turn of the century, Sponseller said.

The benefits of historic status can also mean big money for city officials looking to preserve the district. The idea is to preserve the historic look of the buildings as much as possible. Some of the buildings remain wholly unaltered by time and other improvements. Others have been updated for a more modern look and feel, diminishing their significance.

Grant monies and tax credits for facade improvements can help encourage property owners to roll back any changes made during the building's lifespan.

Mount Pleasant officials began the nomination process nearly two years ago. First, officials formed a committee to determine if a building or districts met the requirements laid out by the Parks Service. After that, officials had to fill out a nomination form detailing building histories and what makes them important to the city's legacy.

Sponseller said the amount of time put into the project was staggering. City officials even hired a consultant from Quinn Evans, a full service architectural firm specializing in historic nominations, to help lighten the load.

That consultant was Ruth Mills. Luckily for Mount Pleasant, Mills already had a personal connection to the city. Mills received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Central Michigan University.

The '92-'96 grad said working on the project allowed her to give back to a community she holds near and dear to her heart.

"That was one of the really attractive parts for me," Mills said. "I loved the experience of going downtown, eating breakfast at Stan's, going to The Bird for a burger and a beer after classes. It was great to get back and visit the places I loved going to as a student."

At present, city officials and the Historic Downtown Commission are putting together a set of design guidelines to plan out any necessary roll-back projects. Sponseller said the city cannot move forward on these projects until this process is completed. 

She expects the guidelines to be drafted by April, at which point officials can determine whether they should apply for grants or tax credits.

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About Ben Solis

Ben Solis is the Managing Editor of Central Michigan Life. He has served as a city and university ...

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