2012 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation Announced

Governor Rick Snyder and Gary Heidel, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, announced the selection of the 2012 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation.

The State Historic Preservation Office initiated the award program in 2003 to recognize outstanding historic preservation achievements reflecting a commitment to the preservation of Michigan's unique character and the many cultural resources that document Michigan's past. Previous recipient projects include private residences whose owners used state historic preservation tax credits, the excavation and study of the Riley Mammoth Site in Saranac, the rehabilitation of the Argonaut Building in Detroit, the long-term preservation of the Northern Michigan Asylum in Traverse City, Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project in Niles, the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, and the Point Betsie Lighthouse rehabilitation.

"The preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites is vital to maintaining a sense of place in our state," said Snyder. "This year's recipients understand the power of historic places to attract business and tourists and the difference they make in our communities."

The 2012 recipients are:

• Keweenaw National Historical Park, Quinn Evans Architects, Yalmer Matilla Contracting, Inc., and the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission, for the rehabilitation of the Union Building, Calumet
• Swanee, Incorporated and Barry Polzin Architects for the rehabilitation of the Richter Brewery, Escanaba
• G. A. Haan Development, U.P. Engineers and Architects, and Oakwood Construction for the rehabilitation of the Adams and Masonic Temple Buildings, Sault Ste. Marie
• City of Boyne City, C2AE , Richard Neumann Architect, and Graham Construction for the rehabilitation of the Boyne City 1910 Waterworks Building, Boyne City
• Eastside Armory LLC [Gillespie Group], Studio Intrigue Architects and Kincaid Henry Building Group for the rehabilitation of the Lansing Artillery National Guard Armory, Lansing
• Michigan State Medical Society for stewardship of the Michigan Medical Society Building, East Lansing

"We see the results daily of how historic preservation transforms communities," stated State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway. "The Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation give us an opportunity to recognize some of the people behind the projects that are making a difference to Michigan."

Recipients will receive their awards at a public ceremony in the Michigan State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, May 2, at 9:00 a.m.

To learn about previous Governor's Award projects, go to: www.michigan.gov/shpo.

The State Historic Preservation Office is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The office receives federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. The State Historic Preservation Office is part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda.