ESCANABA — The Escanaba City Council approved a resolution Thursday that would bring a special informational session about historic districts to the city — a move the city believes could answer resident’s questions about the proposed Ogden Triangle Historic District.

“I just want to say I’m totally in favor of this because there’s so much controversy floating around with this historical district, so this is going to help answer a lot of questions. So this is a really good thing because this is a formal education instead of people just guessing or asking questions that nobody can answer,” said Mayor Pro Tem Karen Moore, who led Thursday’s meeting in the absence of Mayor Mark Ammel.

“p4″>In August of 2021, Certified Local Government Coordinator Alan Higgins from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) came to Escanaba to help survey the triangular region bounded by 1st Avenue South on the north, South 7th Street to the west, and Lake Shore Drive on the southeast. The area was chosen by city staff because of its mention in the city’s 2016 master plan for its “high concentration of historic structures deserving to be preserved for the community.”

Since then, there has been a significant amount of buzz around the idea of designating the area as a historic district. Residents have expressed concern that the formation of a historic district would limit their freedoms when it came to remodeling their homes. Supporters have argued the district could protect the character of the area and potentially increase tourism.

The resolution approved Thursday supports the city receiving a grant from SHPO for $600, which would support the training session for residents and one additional training session for the city’s historic preservation commission. Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Tyler Anthony said the session involving residents would likely be held as some sort of open house, with a casual atmosphere.

“This would benefit both property owners who are kind of worried about the possibility of this Ogden Triangle historic district and it would also benefit … the historic preservation commission. It’s kind of something that benefits everybody in the community,” said Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Tyler Anthony.

Also during the meeting the council approved hiring Bendzinski & Co. Municipal Finance Advisors of Okemos, Mich. to assist the city in conducting a rate study for the wastewater treatment plant for an amount not to exceed $14,000. Money is available for the study but was not budgeted for professional services.

The council also read a resolution in recognition of Tom Butch, who is retiring from the Bay College Board of Trustees at the end of the year. Butch has served on the board for 50 years.