May 5, 2009

Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark welcomed developers, state and local officials, architects, contractors and preservationists from around the state to celebrate the Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation, presented this morning in the Capitol rotunda. Projects from Bangor, Bay City, Detroit, Lake St. Clair, Lansing and Mount Pleasant were honored.

"Historic preservation projects safeguard our state's many cultural resources for future generations and add appeal to our small towns and cities as places to live, work and explore," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

The awards were established in 2003 to recognize outstanding historic preservation achievements that demonstrate a commitment to the preservation of Michigan's neighborhoods, downtowns and countryside, the state's unique character, and the many cultural resources that document Michigan's past. Previous recipients have included private residences like the former Detroit home of Motown founder Barry Gordy, Jr., the former Berkey and Gay Furniture Factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan State University for the excavation of the Saints Rest Archaeological Site, and the General Motors Technical Center in Warren.

"Now more than ever we need to celebrate the developers, investors, community groups and universities willing to invest their time, talents and money to help revive Michigan and hold on to our state's distinctive character," Clark said. "In addition to preserving important cultural resources, the rehabilitation projects we honored today pumped more than $390 million dollars into Michigan's economy, resulting in the creation of some 4,500 jobs."

The recipients of the 2009 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation are:

• Bangor Restoration LLC and Andy Potts for the rehabilitation of the Bangor Grain Elevator, Bangor;
• The Christman Company and SmithGroup for the rehabilitation of the Mutual Building, Lansing;
• Central Michigan Developers LLC, Lance R. Bickel and James E. Tischler for the rehabilitation of the Borden Creamery, Mount Pleasant;
• Great Lakes Center Foundation, Quinn Evans | Architects, and Gregory Construction for the rehabilitation of the Pere Marquette Depot, Bay City;
• Save Our South Channel Lights, Quinn | Evans Architects and Mihm Enterprises for the rehabilitation of the South Channel Lights, Lake St. Clair;
• Wayne State University Department of Anthropology and the Greater Corktown Development Corporation for the Worker's Row House Archaeological Project, Detroit; and
• The Ferchill Group, Sandvick Architects and Kaczmar Architects, and Marous Brothers Construction and Jenkins Construction for the rehabilitation of the Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit.

The 2009 Governors Awards for Historic Preservation are sponsored in part by the Jonna Companies, H-H Inc. Construction Management, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, and the Michigan History Foundation. The State Historic Preservation Review Board, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, Michigan Historical Center, recommends nominations to the governor. To see previous years' Governor's Award projects visit www.michigan.gov/shpo.

In addition to the State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Historical Center comprises the Michigan Historical Museum and its 11 field sites, the Archives of Michigan, the Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan History magazine and Records Management Services. The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/hal.

Photos of all 2009 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation projects are available for download by clicking here.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).