Architect unveils ambitious restoration plan for historic building

In a recent government meeting, plans were unveiled for the restoration of a historic building that has remained uninhabitable since a fire several years ago. The project aims to replace the building's windows and make minimal exterior changes while preserving its overall structure.

Architect Cody Newman, representing the owners, outlined the proposal, emphasizing that the fire caused only minor damage to the building. The restoration will include the addition of new apartments and an office space on the street level. The exterior will undergo patchwork repairs, with plans to repaint the building in a cream color, avoiding the common gray and black trim.

Newman detailed the window replacement strategy, noting that the existing windows are not original and have been replaced with less suitable materials. The proposed new windows will be aluminum-clad replicas of the original one-over-one double-hung style, adhering to historical preservation standards set by the National Park Service and the State Historic Preservation Office.

The project is currently in the design development phase, with plans to finalize construction documents following approval from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). If all goes according to plan, construction could begin in the fall, with hopes of completing the project by spring next year. The next step involves presenting the proposal to the planning commission for a special use permit.