March 25, 2009

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced recipients of the 2009 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. The recipients and preservationists from around the state will gather at an awards ceremony in the State Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, May 5, during National Historic Preservation Month.

"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," Governor Granholm said.

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.

"The variety of historic preservation projects under way in Michigan shows commitment to and investment in the future by developers, investors, community groups and universities. In addition to preserving unique historic structures, these rehabilitation projects pumped more than $390 million dollars into Michigan's economy, resulting in the creation of some 4,500 jobs," explained State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway. "At the same time, Detroit's Corktown Neighborhood archaeological project revealed information about 19th-century working class people and how they lived, and gave school children an opportunity to watch archaeologists at work and even participate in the excavations."

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 and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. 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.

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