ESCANABA - The Escanaba Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has decided to ask the city council to appoint a historic review study committee to analyze the historical significance of a downtown building. It could possibly be designated a historical site that could be open for tours. The board discussed the building at its Wednesday meeting.
Local developer Matt Sviland, owner of the former Delta Brewery building, also known as Lofts on Ludington,1615 Ludington St., received a nomination from the State Historic Preservation Review Board to have his property placed on the National Register for Historic Places. If the city council were to designate the building, and possibly adjoining buildings, a historic building or historic district, Sviland would be eligible for state and federal historic tax credits.
The creation of a historic review study committee is the first step of several for the city to make the designation. The city council will be responsible for appointing members to the historic review study committee which should be made up of five to seven members. Most likely members of the Delta County Historical Society will be asked to join.
In other business, the board:
approved having T&T Electric make upgrades to the DDA Center Court Office to increase energy efficiency. Improvements will include new lighting fixtures and installing energy efficient switches. DDA Director Roger Good said payback on the savings will take 5.5 years. The cost of improvements to the DDA is $2,051.15.
discussed having banners posted at the entrance of Ludington Street (and possibly up and down the street) which would advertise downtown businesses with the idea of pulling shoppers/tourists downtown. There should be no cost to the DDA for this project. Banners would be paid for by the businesses themselves. City Manager Jim O'Toole suggested Good meet with the Downtown Escanaba Business Association to determine interest.
heard a presentation from Tom Penegor, Escanaba recreation director, regarding the deteriorating Escanaba Marina L-dock and a project to restore it. Hhe asked the DDA to assist with funding 25 percent ($27,000) of the marina's half of the cost of the L-dock restoration project. The marina's half is $108,675. The other half will be paid through a Michigan Waterways Grant.